Ukrainian refugee care in practice by Telieshia Gray

A Reflection on Domain 1: Clinical Expert from the Culturally Responsive Clinical Practice Framework

35691855 — 2025-08-19 02:46:24 UTC

As a learner nurse, it is clear that cultural responsiveness is not merely the treatment of disease but also a respect for a distinctive history and a sociocultural actuality that defines an individual's health. Competency 1.1 of the Culturally Responsive Clinical Practice Framework identifies a focus on learning about those forces within a working relationship among migrants and refugees (Culturally Responsive Clinical Practice Framework, 2019). If caring for a Ukrainian refugee, I would consider whether war, displacement, and disrupted access to healthcare could have impacted the individual's motivation to trust practitioners. I would listen without judgment, use trauma-informed communication, and adapt care for cultural needs. Having thought about this, it would be beneficial for me to learn about Ukraine's healthcare system and traditional practices before placement. This would enable me to provide more effective, compassionate and rapport-establishing care. In the future, I would utilise every opportunity during clinical placements to extend this knowledge further.

Culturally responsive clinical practice: Working with people from migrant and refugee backgrounds, competency standards framework for clinicians. https://moodleprod.murdoch.edu.au/pluginfile.php/4578910/mod_resource/content/4/Culturally-responsive-clinical-practice-Working-with-people-from-migrant-and-refugee-backgrounds-Jan2019.pdf

Exploring the Impact of Social Inclusion and Non‑Discrimination on Ukrainian Refugees in Australia

35691855 — 2025-08-19 02:49:10 UTC

For Ukrainian refugees that are being forced to immigrate to Australia social inclusion and non-discrimination are key determinants of health, which has been recognised by the World Heath organisation. For Ukrainian refugees relocating to Australian communities can be scary and uneasy for them to undergo, but by ensuring that the refugees feel valued and accepted by the community this will positively impact their mental health, access to service provision, and a sense of belonging. Feeling included can reduce pressure, nervousness, and loneliness which are essential factors for heath (WHO 2023). Most significantly exclusion will act as a deterrent from employment, education, and healthcare and can further isolate refugees and cement health inequities(Refugee Council of Australia, 2024). Supportive community actions and sensitive support services that will respect the refugee's culture will help promote inclusion and wellbeing amongst the refugee's. Policies and procedures that ensure respect inclusion and cultural safety for Ukrainian refugees are needed for their relocation.

Refugee Council of Australia. (2024). Settlement and support for Ukrainian refugees. https://www.refugeecouncil.org.au/education-employment/
World Health Organization. (2023). Social determinants of health. https://www.who.int/health-topics/social-determinants-of-health

Understanding and Supporting Trauma-Related Mental Health

35691855 — 2025-08-19 02:49:42 UTC

Most of the immigrants who enter Australia as refugees will have experienced some level of war trauma or displacement before arriving. The presence of mental illnesses like depression, anxiety, and PTSD is therefore common. Mental health assessment and response is one of the important early interventions in the Australian Refugee Health Practice Guide (Refugee Health Guide, 2024). Many of the refugee individuals flee from societal cultures either do not correctly interpret mental health challenges resulting in social stigmas. Many times refugees feel shame about talking about their problems or experiences which can make it difficult to ask for help or even talk about it. Cognitive behavioural therapy is a recommended treatment for refugees and trauma-affected individuals. This treatment strategy is effective in decreasing PTSD severity and maximizing emotional wellbeing (Australian Institute of Family Studies, 2022). Accessibility to culturally informed psychological therapy early may facilitate better mental health outcomes in the long term for Ukrainian refugees resettled in Australia.

Australian Refugee Health Practice Guide. (n.d.). Mental health. In Australian refugee health: Primary care for people of refugee backgrounds. https://refugeehealthguide.org.au/mental-health/
Australian Institute of Family Studies. (2022). Understanding the mental health and help‑seeking behaviours of refugees. https://aifs.gov.au/resources/short-articles/understanding-mental-health-and-help-seeking-behaviours-refugees

Traditional Herbal Remedies in Ukrainian Culture

35691855 — 2025-08-19 02:50:16 UTC

Herbalism is one of the most ancient, well-regarded practices in Ukrainian culture. Inhabitants of Ukrainians all over the country, but particularly rural residents, use herbs like chamomile, nettle, linden blossom, and calendula to heal common disease like respiratory disease, gastrointestinal disease, and terror (Zeleniy Turizm, n.d.). They make medicine in teas, tinctures, or compresses and view it as a natural, non-violent medicine. In the scenario of Ukrainian refugees migrating to settle in Australia, these cultural practices may be continued alongside or together with biomedical care. Clinicians can inquire about those beliefs in a non-judgmental or non-threatening manner. The Culturally Responsive Clinical Practice Framework (2019) refers to listening to patients' traditional health beliefs as trust building, culturally safe practice and improved therapeutic relationships. In practice, that means asking about the use of herbal remedies and being open to including acceptable, non-toxic mechanisms in the treatment plan. This educates patients, supports their culture and promotes more efficient care.

Culturally Responsive Clinical Practice: Working with People from Migrant and Refugee Backgrounds, competency standards framework for clinicians.
https://moodleprod.murdoch.edu.au/pluginfile.php/4578910/mod_resource/content/4/Culturally-responsive-clinical-practice-Working-with-people-from-migrant-and-refugee-backgrounds-Jan2019.pdf
Zeleniy Turizm. (n.d.). Fundamentals of traditional medicine in Ukraine. https://www.zeleniyturizm.com.ua/en/workshops/fundamentals_of_traditional_medicine_eng/

35691855 — 2025-08-19 03:19:07 UTC

35691855 — 2025-08-19 03:22:18 UTC

35691855 — 2025-08-19 03:22:57 UTC

35691855 — 2025-08-19 03:24:25 UTC