I have high expectations of myself because I am a migrant, from a different culture. I want to provide comfort, but I do have doubts about my self-awareness, maybe it's my lack of education in this area, but I am confident this will improve with time. It’s clear I have a responsibility to ensure my cultural awareness improves. I know I have biases and I need to find a way to recognise what they are, so I can put them aside. I haven't fully considered how my own cultural background may impact patient care and communication.

I need to ensure I continue exploring my biases and reach out to education training providers to develop my skills in cultural competency, and self-awareness.

References
Migrant and Refugee Women’s Health Partnership. (2019). Competency standards framework for clinicians January 2019. Culturally Responsive Clinical Practice: Working with People from Migrant and Refugee Backgrounds (pp. 30)

Refugees and asylum seekers do not arrive in Australia fully immunised placing them at risk of vaccine-preventable diseases, this may be due to poor access or poor quality of vaccinations. Australia provides catch-up immunisations, enabling refugees and migrants to be immunised equivalent to an Australian-born person of the same age.

Malaria
Australia has been free of malaria since 1981. However, a substantial portion of northern Australia remains susceptible because of mosquito vectors. However, the consideration of malaria is crucial when evaluating any patient who has visited a malaria-prone area and presents with a feverish illness, even if it occurs months after their arrival in Australia. All refugees arriving in Australia from malaria-endemic regions are offered a voluntary Departure Health Check. This assessment includes testing for malaria, and if necessary, the provision of treatment. Investigations for malaria should be performed on anyone who has traveled in an endemic malaria area within 3 months of arrival if asymptomatic, or within 12 months if symptoms of fever.(Phillips, 2018).

Low Vitamin D
Vitamin D is crucial in maintaining bone and muscle health, and sunlight is the primary source. The synthesis of vitamin D can depend on skin tone, protection from ultraviolet radiation, outdoor activity, geographical location, season, and time of day. Individuals with darker skin need more UVB exposure compared to those with lighter skin to generate sufficient amounts of vitamin D. Individuals originating from refugee-like backgrounds often possess risk factors such as darker skin and wear clothing that covers most of their body, which can restrict exposure to sunlight and reduce vitamin D synthesis. Treatment to restore their levels to the normal range can be daily dosing or high-dose therapy, ensuring adequate calcium intake, and patient education on self-management can be provided. (Paxton, 2018)

References
Paxton, G. Singleton, G. (2018). Low Vitamin D. Australian Refugee Health Practice Guide. https://refugeehealthguide.org.au/low-vitamin-d/

Phillips, C. Francis, J. (2018). Malaria. Australian Refugee Health Practice Guide. https://refugeehealthguide.org.au/malaria