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For me, the most significant aspect of Domain 1 in the competency framework was Standard 1.2 (Migrant and Refugee Women’s Health Partnership, 2019).

Through engaging with the literature by Wall et al. (2016), I have further developed my understanding of the importance of using a trauma-informed care approach when caring for someone with a refugee background.

Having read Wall et al. (2016), I now feel I am more competent in caring for people presenting with any trauma.

This skill is essential to me in the workplace because I now know how to create safe environments to promote trust and to build healthy relationships.

Because I have not yet cared for a person with a refugee background, I will now ensure I am providing person-centred care by involving them in decisions about their own health (Centre for Health Care Strategies, 2021).

Initially, I did not realise that trauma-informed care requires sensitivity with treatment options to avoid re-traumatisation, which I understand from engaging with the information provided by the Centre for Health Care Strategies (2021)..

Alternatively, this is probably because of my limited knowledge in caring for people with refugee-like experiences. I now understand the impact of trauma and different ways to approach care, and will reflect this learning in my future practice.

References

Australian Library and Information Association. (2014). Reflective practice writing guide. Australian Library and Information Association. https://moodleprod.murdoch.edu.au/pluginfile.php/4578912/mod_resource/content/1/reflective%20writing%20phrases.pdf

Center for Health Care Strategies. (2021). What is Trauma-Informed Care? Trauma-Informed Care Implementation Resource Center. https://www.traumainformedcare.chcs.org/what-is-trauma-informed-care/

Migrant and Refugee Women’s Health Partnership. (2019). Culturally Responsive Clinical Practice: Working with People from Migrant and Refugee Backgrounds COMPETENCY STANDARDS FRAMEWORK FOR CLINICIANS. https://culturaldiversityhealth.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Culturally-responsive-clinical-practice-Working-with-people-from-migrant-and-refugee-backgrounds-Jan2019.pdf

Wall, L., Higgins, D., & Hunter, C. (2016, February). Trauma-informed Care in child/family Welfare Services | Australian Institute of Family Studies. Australian Institute of Family Studies. https://aifs.gov.au/resources/policy-and-practice-papers/trauma-informed-care-childfamily-welfare-services

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Traditional medicine practiced in Iraqi culture

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Traditional medicine practiced in Iraqi culture

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In the literature, Younus and Ibrahim (2022) discuss that herbal medicines are used in Iraqi communities to treat various types of disease/illness. The text also states that 100 plants from 43 different plant families are used for herbal medicine practices across Iraq.

According to Al-Snafi (2019), one plant traditionally used in Iraq for medicinal purposes was named 'Lagerstromia Speciosa', which translates to 'Queen of Flowers'. The article describes the plant as 25 metres high with large pink and purple flowers covering the plant. The research by Al-Snafi (2019) found that in Iraqi culture, the plant's roots are known to treat stomach issues, act as a stimulant, and assist in reducing fever. The literature also suggests that the leaves were used in tea to treat concerns such as diabetes, weight loss, high blood pressure, and bladder and kidney inflammation. The leaves could also be compressed into a paste to apply to the skin, helping treat malaria, headaches and cracked heels (Al-Snafi, 2019).

By recognising the significance of traditional medicine in Iraqi culture, we can better understand and appreciate different health perspectives worldwide.

References

Al-Snafi, A. E. (2019). MEDICINAL VALUE OF LAGERSTROEMIA SPECIOSA: AN UPDATED REVIEW. International Journal of Current Pharmaceutical Research, 11(5), 18–26. https://doi.org/10.22159/ijcpr.2019v11i5.35708

Younus, M. M., & Ibrahim, I. R. (2022). Pharmacovigilance for Herbal Medicines in Iraq. Springer EBooks, 1, 385–394. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-07275-8_25

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Iraq is a country located in the Middle East, in Western Asia. Due to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria [ISIS], which took control of Iraq in 2014, it lost its territory in 2017 (Refugee Council of Australia, 2023). In 2015, Australia announced it would accept 12,000 extra refugees from Iraq (Refugee Council of Australia, 2023).

One common health issue Iraqi refugees coming to Australia were presenting with is Tuberculosis [TB] (Paxton & Allen, 2025). According to Paxton & Allen (2025), the presence of TB was found in 11.8% of Iraqi refugees in 2015-17.

TB is an airborne disease caused by Mycobacterium Tuberculosis (World Health Organization [WHO], 2025). It spreads through aerosols when someone with TB sneezes or coughs (WHO, 2025). It predominantly affects the lungs but can also affect other organs in the body. There are two types of TB: the first being active TB, meaning a person infected is presenting with symptoms and they are contagious; the second type is Latent TB infection [LTBI], meaning a patient has TB bacteria in their body, however, it is dormant (Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024).

According to Denholm et al. (n.d.), the best treatment for LTBI is 6–9 months of daily isoniazid with pyridoxine supplementation, preventing peripheral neuropathy. This course of treatment should include regular monitoring, including routine blood tests for liver function, as isoniazid can cause liver damage (Denholm et al., n.d.).

References

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2024, July 2). Social determinants of health. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/australias-health/social-determinants-of-health

Refugee Council of Australia. (2023). Refugee Council of Australia. Refugee Council of Australia; Refugee Council of Australia. https://www.refugeecouncil.org.au/

Slewa-Younan, S., Guajardo, M. G. U., Yaser, A., Mond, J., Smith, M., Milosevic, D., Smith, C., Lujic, S., & Jorm, A. F. (2017). Causes of and risk factors for posttraumatic stress disorder: the beliefs of Iraqi and Afghan refugees resettled in Australia. International Journal of Mental Health Systems, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13033-016-0109-z

World Health Organization. (2025). Social Determinants of Health. World Health Organization . https://www.who.int/health-topics/social-determinants-of-health#tab=tab_1

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References

Al-Snafi, A. E. (2019). MEDICINAL VALUE OF LAGERSTROEMIA SPECIOSA: AN UPDATED REVIEW. International Journal of Current Pharmaceutical Research, 11(5), 18–26. https://doi.org/10.22159/ijcpr.2019v11i5.35708

Younus, M. M., & Ibrahim, I. R. (2022). Pharmacovigilance for Herbal Medicines in Iraq. Springer EBooks, 1, 385–394. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-07275-8_25