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Footprints forwards blocked by a failure discourse: issues in providing advice about medicine and other health science careers to indigenous secondary school students

Making Education Easy

Authors:
Summary:

This paper reports the outcomes from a survey conducted in Australia that investigated the advice and support offered by career co-ordinators in Victorian secondary schools to indigenous students considering careers in medicine. Of 144 school career advisers or guidance counsellors who responded to the survey, only 26 (18%) demonstrated the knowledge, skills and understanding to effectively advise and support an indigenous student who expressed an interest in a health career.

Comment:
This interesting paper provides results from surveys conducted with careers advisors in Victoria, Australia. Not only do the authors show that careers advisors lack the knowledge, skills and understanding to effectively advise and support indigenous students into health/medicine, they also observed that the discussions were based on students’ deficits/failures. Indigenous students have the right to good careers advice and this must start early. Professional development for careers advisors, including information on health pathways, is required.
Reference: Aust J Career Dev. 2009;18(1):26-35.
Independent commentary by Dr. Matire Hardwood

Dr Matire Harwood (Ngapuhi) has worked in Hauora Māori, primary health and rehabilitation settings as clinician and researcher since graduating from Auckland Medical School in 1994. She also holds positions on a number of boards, committees and advisory groups including the Health Research Council. Matire lives in Auckland with her whānau including partner Haunui and two young children Te Rangiura and Waimarie.

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