This module provides an introduction to the concept of cultural safety and trauma informed care, and how they relate to your role as a doula for Indigenous families. The module discusses strategies for providing culturally safe and trauma-informed care, and what this may look like in practice.
Learning objectives:
Describe the concept of cultural safety and trauma-informed care.
Describe the importance of cultural safety and trauma-informed care in the context of Indigenous birth.
Develop strategies for effective relationship-building with care recipients.
Demonstrate the ability to employ culturally-safe and trauma-informed communication with care recipients.
Outline of topics:
Introduction to the concept of cultural safety and what it may look like in practice – What cultural safety means, and how it can be understood in the context of childbirth. This includes discussion on the importance of relationship building, understanding history and intergenerational trauma, attention to power dynamics, respect for identity, culture and diversity, and self-reflection.
Principles of culturally safe care – Two key principles of culturally safe care: defined by the care recipient, and self-reflection.
Introduction to the concept of trauma-informed care and what it may look like in practice – The concept of trauma-informed care in Indigenous contexts, and what this might look like in practice, including the importance of communication tools, attention to potential triggers, self-awareness, and responsive care.
Apprehension – What apprehension at birth looks like, and approaches to addressing this scenario through a trauma-informed and culturally safe lens.
