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Australian Healthcare System- A Few Favourites

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Australian Healthcare System- A Few Favourites

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Medicare-
“Australia’s universal health insurance scheme” https://www.health.gov.au/topics/medicare?language=und. It allows Australians to access a variety of different healthcare and hospital systems and services at a low to no cost outcome.

Mental health support-

There are a variety of different, and often free mental health supports available to Australians.

There are a range of different online services available for anyone to access.
-most Australian schools deliver mental health awareness sessions (mental health first aid).

Health Infrastructure-
Australia is constantly investing in new infrastructure for quality patient care in hospitals, medical facilities, and new technologies.

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Personal photograph - 09/05/2011). Photo includes myself, Aastar Kapocius.

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I previously resided within the Goldfields, specifically Kalgoorlie-Boulder, WA. Kalgoorlie is considered a regional city.
Kalgoorlie is rich in outback living activities, as well as mining prosperities.

Kalgoorlie representing 'Aussie' culture:
-Outdoor focused
-Bush activities, bush walks, Lake Douglas, Menzies, Australian outback.
-Bush medicine:

I remember a time I was in hospital, a local indigenous lady came up to me in my hospital ward, sat with me, and spoke to me about bush medicine. At the time, I had no idea what this was, but it was intriguing. She pointed out local plants surrounding the hospital that she would use to treat some of her health conditions!
-Focus on education of indigenous culture (Wangkatha) in schooling
Learning from indigenous elders of Kalgoorlie is a fond memory.

Mining culture-
-The Super Pit (gold mines).
-Hannan’s North Tourist Mine.

My experience living in the country was decent, but living in Perth, I realised that my personal preference for where I want to live lies in the city. Perth has provided me with more opportunities. Some of these things include access to the beach (happy place), more access to physical and mental health services, being able to connect more socially, education, retail options, and a better standard of life.

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Social Determinants of Health for Refugees

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Social Determinants of Health for Refugees

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3 main social determinants faced by refugees upon arrival to Australia:

1. Social inclusion and non-discrimination:
Physical exclusion from regular Australian society can be known as ‘border protection’. Some refugees seeking asylum have been physically removed upon arriving in Australia.
-lack of citizenship
-racism and discrimination
(Taylor, J. 2004)

2. Education-
Refugee parents often lack knowledge of the educational system, and children face pressure to leave school to contribute financially to family.
-There is a lack of educational support for newly arrived refugees in mainstream schools,
-impacts of pre-arrival trauma on school performance.
(Taylor, J. 2004)

3. Access to affordable and quality health services:
-Legal status is often a precondition affecting adequate care.
-Health literacy is a barrier, and migrants may be hesitant to seek medical services because of communication issues, and also varying perceptions of health status.
-Cultural 'norms' also often prevent people from seeking help, especially women seeking attention from male practitioners.
-Migrants often can feel hesitant in disclosing health status, such as with pregnancies/sexual health in fear, therefore preventing 'good health'.
-Religious barriers also may prevent participation in vaccination services.
(Davies, A A, 2009-2010)

Taylor, J. (2004). Refugees and social exclusion: What the literature says. https://library.bsl.org.au/bsljspui/bitstream/1/5990/1/Taylor_

Migration_Action_refugees_and_social_exclusion_article.pdf
Davies, A A., Basten, A., Frattini, C. (2009-2010). Migration: A Social Determinant of the Health of Migrants. https://ec.europa.eu/migrant-integration/sites/default/files/2009-10/docl_9914_392596992.pdf

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My Definition of Health- Personal video- Aastar Kapocius 

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Please click on video to view

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(World Easy Guides, n.d. Image of the Vietnam national flag).

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Country focus: Vietnam

3 high-prevalence conditions:

Tuberculosis- (TB)
TB is a major health issue for this population, and there have been higher rates of hospitalisation's amongst Asian-born immigrants reported at national level (Queensland Health, 2010).
Treatment:
Antibiotics: first-line preventative treatment:
For Latent Tuberculosis (LTBI)- a 6-9 month regimen of Isoniazid
-Isoniazid treatment regimen will change accordingly.
-Rifamycin’s
-Refer to specialists
(Refugee Health, 2023).

Hepatitis B Virus
Vietnam has one of the highest prevalences of hepatitis B, and Vietnam-born people living in Australia (Queensland Health, 2010).
Vietnamese population considered 'high-risk' (Queensland Health, 2010).
Treatment:
Treatment aims to maintain health and prevent deterioration - no singular treatment.
-Lifestyle modifications
(Health Direct, 2022).
Screening options, including:

A complete HBV blood test includes HBsAg, HBsAb, and HBcAb (Refugee Health, 2023).

Mental health-
Common presentations: depression, somatisation and physical disorders, adjustment disorders, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and complexities relating to migration changes in their lives. Social isolation is also a contributor (Queensland Health, 2010).
Treatment:
Medication, counselling/psychology, trauma screening, psycho-education, and health promotion (Refugee Health, 2023).

Maclachlan, J., Cowie, B., Isaacs, D., Davis, J S. (2023). Hepatitis B Virus (HBV). Refugee Health. https://refugeehealthguide.org.au/hepatitis-b/

Queensland Health. (2010). The health of Queensland’s Vietnam-born population 2010. https://www.health.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0041/385997/health-data-viet.pdf

Health Direct. (2022). Hepatitis B. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/hepatitis-b#treated

https://www.worldeasyguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Flag-of-Vietnam.jpg

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Domain 7 - 'Professional Practice' Standard 12.1 - "Clinicians develop and maintain an awareness of their own culture, beliefs, values, and biases, and their impact on the clinician's interactions in healthcare settings"

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Domain 7 - 'Professional Practice' Standard 12.1 - "Clinicians develop and maintain an awareness of their own culture, beliefs, values, and biases, and their impact on the clinician's interactions in healthcare settings"

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As someone practicing nursing, I believe that it is important to create a strong self-awareness, especially when caring for patients who have their own, individual beliefs, values, thoughts, and culture. I intend to apply this standard to my practice in two main ways:

1. Self-reflection: Writing in a journal my beliefs, values etc, and compare mine to patient interactions I may have come across that day, then challenging those thoughts by thinking critically and analysing how my own beliefs may have an impact on interactions with my patients.
2.  Engagement in cultural competency learning experiences; workshops, modules, seeking feedback.
I believe this would benefit me in a way that I would be able to stay aware of my fluctuating beliefs and values and stay up to date with current practices involving cultural competency.

Migrant & Refugee. (2019). Culturally Responsive Clinical Practice: Working with People from Migrant and Refugee Backgrounds. Competency Standards Framework for Clinicians January 2019. https://moodleprod.murdoch.edu.au/pluginfile.php/3573073/mod_resource/content/1/Culturally-responsive-clinical-practice-Working-with-people-from-migrant-and-refugee-backgrounds-Jan2019.pdf

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National Anthem of STRAYA (to the tune of Hey Ya) (Coachbombaymusic, 2015).

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Terry Mann released a remake song of the 'Outkasts' "Hey Ya!", creating his own version, captivating the typical 'Aussie' culture and stereotypes. Labelled  "STRAYA".

Key lyrics:
"We believe that mateship is forever,", "We're all mates and we're multicultural. So why ya not living in Australia when you know we are so happy here?" (Lu, A, 2015)

Extra:
"I Am Australian"
-ABC Australia released a video showing many different Australians singing along to the song.
Originally sung by "The Seekers". This song encourages social connectedness and feelings of belonging:
https://youtu.be/tl5KzjcsVgY?si=B0KGLx5xfc2oDI-l

Coachbombaymusic. (2015). National Anthem of STRAYA (to the tune of Hey Ya). (Video). Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMdbVHPmCW0

Lu, A. (2015). Catchy ‘National Anthem of Straya (To the Tune of Hey Ya) For Australia Day Theme Song (Video). International Business Times. https://www.ibtimes.com.au/catchy-national-anthem-straya-tune-hey-ya-australia-day-theme-song-video-1411544

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National Anthem of STRAYA (to the tune of Hey Ya)

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(NSWRLRA, 2017. Image showing RUOK? cover). (TigerMountain, n.d. Image showing hands placed together).

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R U OK?
RUOK is a public health promotion charity aiming towards suicide prevention, and raising awareness of mental health.
-"A conversation could save a life".
-The official date is held in September every year.
-Schools, workplaces, and communities will often get together and hold events in light of this organization's goal; to create conversation about mental health.

Harmony Week-
-Celebrates and acknowledges Australia's multiculturalism.
-Involves inclusiveness, respectfulness, and a sense of belonging.
-Often celebrated within community settings.
People will wear the colour orange, signifying social communication and meaningful conversations.
This day creates a sense of peace within the community and relationships with others; positively affecting mental wellbeing.

RUOK?. (n.d.). What We’re About. Creating a world where we’re all connected and protected from suicide. https://www.ruok.org.au/what-were-about

Department of Home Affairs. (n.d.). Harmony Celebrations. Australian Government. https://www.harmony.gov.au/about

NSWRLRA. (2017). RUOK? – A conversation could change a life. (Image of recognised R U OK? cover) https://nswrlra.com/ruok-a-conversation-could-change-a-life/

TigerMountain Foundation. (n.d.). (Image of hands placed together). https://tigermountainfoundation.org/non-profit-community-garden/young-people-putting-their-hands-together/

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The Australian Cancer Council launched an initiative - the 'SunSmart' health campaign - one of Australia's most successful public health campaigns.
Aims- protect, and educate against the risks associated with skin cancer, and most importantly, how to prevent it.

SunSmart's 'Slip, Slop, Slap' program shows great promise that there are things Australians can do to protect their health.

Cancer Council. (n.d.). Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, Slide. https://www.cancer.org.au/cancer-information/causes-and-prevention/sun-safety/campaigns-and-events/slip-slop-slap-seek-slide

Cancer Council Victoria. (2010). Slip! Slop! Slap! – The Original Sid the Seagull Video. (Video). YouTube.

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Slip! Slop! Slap! - The Original Sid the Seagull Video

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(Nathan, 2022. Image of baked Anzac biscuits).

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Traditional & Historical Australian Snack

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Traditional & Historical Australian Snack

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The original Anzac biscuit recipe -
A personal favourite in honour of Australian soldiers on Anzac Day.

This (original) recipe serves as the perfect treat as part of a balanced diet.

NOTE: Nutritional information not provided

Here is the direct link to this recipe, and historical background:
https://blogs.sydneylivingmuseums.com.au/cook/commemorative-crafts/

Nathan. (2022). What is Traditional Australian Food? Discover The Best of Australian Cuisine!. https://www.foodieflashpacker.com/traditional-australian-food/