ID-5184 Wonca Abstracts supplement A-K 13-10-23 - Flipbook - Page 46
WONCA 2023 Supplement 1: WONCA 2023 abstracts (A–K)
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General practice as an ecosystem: How applying
Indigenous Knowledge principals can help general
practice flourish
Dr Danielle Arabena, Dr Kali Hayward
RACGP
For over 60,000 years, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples had a deep knowledge of and
relationship with Country. They had ceremonies and rituals, and generational teachings passed down
to strengthen this reciprocal relationship. In addition, children were taught their kinship responsibilities
to Country and all her Ecosystems from birth. As a result, Indigenous Ecological Knowledge was
complex, adaptable and localised, allowing the Peoples and ecosystems to survive and thrive on one
of the driest continents on Earth.
This all changed in 1788, and the following colonisation era saw the erosion of this deep connection to
Culture and Country for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
These once-thriving Nations and their Peoples now see higher incidences of chronic disease, early
death and marked health disparity.
But what if general practice was reframed as an ecosystem, and registrars, supervisors, general
practitioners, practice managers and the general practice colleges were seen as kin relations? Could
this collective learn to apply Indigenous Knowledge concepts to help Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander people thrive again?
This presentation will explore how to meet the needs of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
communities in general practice.
Through the use of Indigenous Knowledge concepts, yarning circles, storytelling and art, Dr Kali
Hayward and Dr Danielle Arabena will help participants create a storytelling tree to represent:
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our journey of reconnection and healing the past
recovery from trauma and medical colonisation
in the spirit of revival and reclaiming, forging a new future.
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