Australia Indigenous Community: Global Assessment

As a nurse, taking care of others and providing education and resources on a vulnerable population, so that patients may take care of themselves, is a great accomplishment. Looking back at the young families and older adults of the Indigenous Australian community that were seen in our temporary global outreach clinic, I could not help but think of the slogan “Think Globally, Act Locally" (Shapiro, 2010). The trip was also a success in providing access to healthcare, education, and support for the Indigenous people of Australia. The support and community groups will be ongoing, and have a far-reaching impact. Not only was the trip a success in terms of the data and research obtained, but as providers we also learned important lessons that can be continued in our own communities. Even work done on a small scale can have a global impact. That is a powerful statement. There is no greater job satisfaction and testament to the nursing profession than making a powerful and positive impact on a global scale.

Summary of Global Community Assessment Part I

As a part of a global health initiative to promote the United Nations (UN) Millennium Development Goals (MDG), a group of nurses and physicians traveled to the indigenous communities of rural Australia in order to set up temporary health clinics with the help of the Royal Flying Doctors. Developments for education, assessment, and planning of the health care for this at risk population were established. While there is still much work to be done, the impact on the indigenous patients was evident. Additionally, much was learned regarding the important factors in the education and care of vulnerable populations. Nurses, according to Jacobson (2008) are instrumental part of impro...

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...ved from http://www.healthinfonet.ecu.edu.au/health-facts/overviews

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