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There are currently an estimated 125 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander doctors and 125 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander medical students in Australia.
To view more detailed information on Indigenous Doctor numbers, please view this document.
The positive effects of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander doctors for their peoples’ physical, emotional and cultural wellbeing, as well as their community capacity and political determination, have long been recognised by government and other Indigenous and non-Indigenous stakeholders.
These strengths include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander doctors’:
- ability to empathise with a diverse range of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients and have a good understanding of their social and cultural context (i.e., knowing enough to ask the right questions, the priorities of patients and extended family obligations)
- knowing family groups and having patients know who your “mob” is often allows a more personal flow of information (i.e., trust that you know what they are talking about when they speak about family/culture issues)
- being seen as leaders and significant advocates by community, which puts Indigenous doctors in a position to influence change within the health system
- ability to interpret western medicine into a diverse range of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander understandings, so patients have a better understanding of management
- ability to bring the diverse range of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander understandings and concepts of health to enrich the medical community/profession, including holistic concepts and spiritual attributes of health
- fulfilling the role of mentors and role models for our children and
- influencing the policy and practice environment at a systems and peer level
Do you want to be a doctor? Click here to find out how!
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