Black and White Learning Interchange

Abstract

The unchanging status of Aboriginal health initiated the need for changes to training for Aboriginal Health Workers. Charles Sturt University, in partnership with the Remote and Rural Health Training Unit (RARHTU) initiated, in consultation with the local Indigenous community, a program for upgrading qualifications of Aboriginal Health Workers to degree level. Several unique features were incorporated in the program design: an educational facilitator without a health career background; a challenging first subject based upon student's familial personal history; specialist sessions provided by professional health workers; recognition of prior learning taking into account the many varied levels of existing regional health services training. This paper discusses the course design and evaluation results, including the impact of the program upon lecturer's teaching style, students' personal and working lives and the effects the course may have regarding the status of Aboriginal health in the local area. Results of the initial program evaluation are presented and discussed in this paper.