“A sis in the profession for life, that’s who my mentor is”: Connecting Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander speech pathology students and professionals through a pilot mentoring program
Alice Sheehan1, Corrine Butler2, Tara Lewis3,4, Caroline Baker1,5,6, Abby Foster1,5,6, Rachel Davenport5, Michelle O’Rourke1, James Smith7, Andrea Simpson5,8 1Monash Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia2Queensland Health, QLD, Australia3Australian Catholic University, Brisbane, QLD, Australia4Speech Pathology Australia, Melbourne, VIC, Australia5La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia6Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia7Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia8Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT, Australia
Abstract
Background: Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people delivering health services to their own communities challenges the very system that was constructed to de-humanise and racialise mob. Only a small fraction of ear and hearing health professionals identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, so building workforce capacity is crucial in improving the quality of healthcare for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people. This study aimed to understand the experiences of a culturally responsive mentoring program for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander ear health professionals and students.
Methods: Two Aboriginal mentors (experienced clinicians) and four Aboriginal mentees (early career / student clinicians) were recruited to the program. Pre- and post- clinical yarning interviews were conducted by an Aboriginal researcher. Data was analysed using Indigenous methodology.
Results: Participants’ experiences with mentoring were shaped by their journey into the profession, previous mentor relationships, and motivations for entering the program. Cultural mentoring was essential in the context of the ongoing impact of invasion, deficit discourse, and racism. The program was identified as a safe space for cultural support, enhancing connection to culture. A key barrier was the need to justify the importance of cultural supervision in the workplace. Participation was enabled by the relationships formed and the model’s flexibility.
Discussion: A culturally responsive mentoring program provides supports to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander ear and hearing professionals that is not reliably provided or accepted in the workplace. It creates connection and supports early career clinicians and students to thrive professionally and culturally.
Biography
Dr Abby Foster is a non-Indigenous woman raised on Gunaikurnai Country and gratefully living on Bunurong Country, Victoria. Abby is an experienced clinician, manager and researcher in the public health sector. Abby is the Allied Health Research Advisor at Monash Health, with adjunct appointments at La Trobe and Monash Universities
Corrine Butler is a proud Aboriginal woman with strong family connections to Yarrabah, Far North Queensland. She has over 13 years experience delivering occupational therapy services in a wide range of areas and is currently an Advanced Workforce Officer for the Office of the Chief Allied Health Officer, Queensland Health