2026/05/25 by Kay Brumpton, Rebecca Evans, Tarun Sen Gupta +1 · 1 voice
Social Sciences · Health Professions · #Cultural Competency in Health Care #Indigenous Health, Education, and Rights #Health Policy Implementation Science
paper · doi:10.1071/py25245
openalex publication_date 2026/05/25 · openalex created_date 2026/05/26 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/30
BACKGROUND: Cultural safety is a key component of quality general practice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; however, few tools exist to assess this from the patient's perspective. This study aimed to explore the qualities of a general practitioner (GP) that support culturally safe consultations, as described by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and to examine how these align with two consultation models: the Calgary-Cambridge Guide and clinical yarning. METHODS: A mixed methods approach was used, including a survey, qualitative interviews and a modified nominal group technique (mNGT). Participants were Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who had previously engaged with general practice care. Data were both described and analysed thematically. RESULTS: In total, 131 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples participated (70 in the survey and interview; 43 in mNGT to validate the findings; and 18 in three separate mNGTs to rate desirable attributes of a GP). Participants identified several qualities underpinning a safe GP consultation. Within the top five attributes in the mNGT were universal skills - clinical competence, avoidance of jargon and attentive listening - alongside welcoming patients with a greeting and avoiding stereotyping. Although there was strong emphasis on respectful, individualised care, preferences varied significantly, highlighting the limitations of a generic approach to consultation skills. Some findings challenged core assumptions regarding clinical yarning and elements of cultural safety training. CONCLUSION: We propose a refined, integrated consultation model that enhances the Calgary-Cambridge Guide with relational elements of the social yarn, particularly during initiation of the consultation. This integrated model, grounded in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' perspectives yet familiar to GPs and academics, offers a promising foundation for culturally safe practice and assessment, with potential applicability across other diverse populations.