Clinical Competency Rubric – ATSI specific
1. Communication and Consultation Skills
Mapped ATSI Competency: AH1
| Sub-criteria | Description |
|---|---|
| AH1.1 | Uses culturally safe communication methods – yarning – interpreters – non-verbal cues – avoiding medical jargon. |
| AH1.2 | Integrates cultural perspectives and beliefs – kinship systems – community roles – connection to Country. |
| AH1.3 | Addresses barriers – shame – mistrust – prior trauma – differing understandings of health. |
| Clinical Application: Incorporate family and community in discussions, show respect for silence and storytelling, explore “men’s/women’s business.” |
2. Clinical Information Gathering and Interpretation
Mapped ATSI Competency: AH2
| Sub-criteria | Description |
|---|---|
| AH2.1 | Identifies and addresses obstacles to optimising care – including : – access issues – cultural or systemic barriers – social determinants. |
| Clinical Application: Adjust information gathering to include – cultural background – mobility – connection to land – grief and loss – holistic views of health. |
3. Diagnosis, Decision-Making and Reasoning
Mapped ATSI Competency: AH3
| Sub-criteria | Description |
|---|---|
| AH3.1 | Demonstrates culturally informed diagnostic and management strategies – early screening – contextualised epidemiology (e.g. RHD, diabetes). |
| Clinical Application: Include high-prevalence conditions earlier in differential diagnosis respect cultural expression of symptoms (e.g. stoicism, use of traditional language). |
4. Clinical Management and Therapeutic Reasoning
Mapped ATSI Competency: AH6
| Sub-criteria | Description |
|---|---|
| AH6.1 | Collaborates with AHWs, cultural brokers, community representatives. |
| AH6.2 | Utilises professional and community resources (e.g. MBS 715, Closing the Gap, ATAPS). |
| AH6.3 | Incorporates social and cultural determinants into care planning (e.g. family obligations, housing). |
| Clinical Application: – Co-develop management plans with patient, family and cultural team members – include flexibility around follow-up and transport access. |
5. Preventive and Population Health
Mapped ATSI Competency: AH5
| Sub-criteria | Description |
|---|---|
| AH5.1 | Implements culturally adapted, evidence-based preventive health – e.g. early immunisation, diabetes screening, cancer screening. |
| AH5.2 | Identifies strategies that enhance community self-determination and participation in health promotion. |
| Clinical Application: – Embed health literacy strategies – empower Elders in messaging – partner with local organisations for culturally tailored programs. |
6. Professionalism
Mapped ATSI Competency: AH4
| Sub-criteria | Description |
|---|---|
| AH4.1 | Promotes culturally safe clinical environments – through symbols, signage, staff training. |
| AH4.2 | Integrates knowledge of colonial history and intergenerational trauma into care responses. |
| AH4.3 | Advocates for equity in healthcare policy, funding, and service access. |
| Clinical Application: – Ongoing reflective practice – develop clinic cultural safety plans – support Indigenous-led health initiatives. |
7. General Practice Systems and Regulatory Requirements
Mapped ATSI Competency: AH4 (continued)
| Sub-criteria | Description |
|---|---|
| AH4.4 | Uses MBS/PBS ATSI-specific programs – e.g. CTG scripts, MBS 715, care coordination. |
| AH4.5 | Appraises primary healthcare models – especially community-controlled organisations (ACCHSs). |
| Clinical Application: – Set up reminder systems for 715 health checks – work in partnership with ACCHSs. |
8. Procedural Skills
No direct ATSI competency, but:
- Respect culturally sensitive issues (e.g. gender of proceduralist, body exposure).
- Involve AHWs in consent and support.
- Ensure informed consent is culturally and linguistically appropriate.
9. Managing Uncertainty
Related ATSI Themes: AH3 / AH6
| Considerations | Description |
|---|---|
| Diagnostic uncertainty | May be increased due to late presentation, distrust, or communication barriers. |
| Strategies | – Use time as a diagnostic tool; – explain “watchful waiting” using plain language – offer ongoing care even without a clear diagnosis. |
10. Identifying and Managing the Patient with Significant Illness
Mapped ATSI Competency: AH3, AH6
| Sub-criteria | Description |
|---|---|
| AH3.1 / AH6.1 | Tailor escalation and critical illness management to cultural needs and support systems. |
| Clinical Application: Respect cultural approaches to death and dying; involve community liaison officers in crisis planning and palliation. |
11. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Context
Mapped to All ATSI Competencies: AH1–AH6
This is a standalone domain requiring:
- Culturally safe, respectful, and relationship-based care.
- Holistic understanding of health and wellbeing (physical, emotional, cultural, spiritual).
- Knowledge of systemic barriers and history (e.g. Stolen Generations, land rights).
- Use of ATSI-specific programs and partnerships with community-controlled services.
12. Rural Health Context
Related Competency (not ATSI-specific): RH1–RH5
- Rural practice often involves working with Aboriginal communities.
- Collaborate with ACCHSs and local Elders.
- Respect Country and local cultural protocols.
- Manage professional boundaries and cultural expectations with sensitivity.