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Cultural Safety: "I'd know it from my gut feeling"
Conference poster

Cultural Safety: "I'd know it from my gut feeling"

Vicki Tillott, Stuart Barlo, Michelle Donelly, Beth Mozolic Staunton and Tarunna Sebastian
Occupational Therapy Exchange (Brisbane, Australia, 23/06/2026–24/06/2026)
24/06/2026

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Abstract

Cultural safety Occupational therapy First Nations people Indigenous health Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing Occupational therapy Expanding knowledge in Indigenous studies Expanding knowledge in the health sciences
Introduction: Australian Occupational Therapists are required to work in a culturally safe manner with First Nations Peoples. Strengthening cultural safety within healthcare settings is essential for enhancing both access and quality of care provided. Whilst there are various definitions of cultural safety, its practical application remains context-dependent and deeply personal. Methods: 11 First Nations Peoples participated in Yarning sessions, sharing their experiences of cultural safety in healthcare and aspirations for the education of future occupational therapists. Data was collected between December 2021 and May 2024. Yarns were digitally recorded and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Discussion: Findings highlight that cultural safety is a lifelong journey, shaped by authentic relationships, empathy, and respect for First Nations Peoples and culture. Whilst experiences and understandings may vary, cultural safety is consistently described as a feeling and an instinctive sense of comfort and acceptance. Barriers to culturally safe practice were identified, including limited time and resources. Despite being mandated that registered health professionals, including occupational therapists, work in a culturally safe manner, many First Nations Peoples continue to experience culturally unsafe healthcare today. Conclusion: Cultural safety is complex and nuanced, and challenging to define. It is founded not in procedural competency, but in relational trust, commitment, and genuine respect for First Nations Peoples. Whilst there are genuine attempts to ensure that healthcare practitioners understand and work effectively with First Nations Peoples, there is still a long way to go to ensure that all services are delivered in a culturally safe manner. Key Takeaways include: 1. First Nations Peoples still report feeling unsafe when receiving healthcare services. 2. Whilst there are various definitions of cultural safety, its practical application remains context-dependent and deeply personal. 3. Occupational therapists need to ensure that they are able to work in a culturally safe manner with First Nations Peoples.

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