Community as teacher model: health profession students learn cultural safety from an aboriginal community

Communication between health care professionals and Aboriginal patients is complicated by cultural differences and the enduring effects of colonization. Health care providers need better training to meet the needs of Aboriginal patients and communities. We describe the development and outcomes of a community-driven service-learning program in which health professional students learn with, from, and about the community through brief immersion in summer camps put on by an Aboriginal agency to teach their own youth about their culture. Outcomes were assessed by semi-structured interviews with students and community members. Health profession students learn about important cultural differences, become more aware of their own values, beliefs and stereotypes, and consider ways to overcome communication barriers that interfere with developing trust with Aboriginal patients. These outcomes are retained long-term and influence relationships with patients in practice as well as career paths. Students are seen by the community as good role models. The opportunity to educate university students enhances the community's sense of pride in their culture.