Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural capability of overseas-trained doctors within a regional hospital health service

Background 32% of the medical workforce are overseas-trained doctors (OTDs), with Australia’s reliance on OTDs expected to continue. Providing culturally safe healthcare for First Peoples is crucial, highlighting the need for effective learning and delivery of culturally safe healthcare amongst OTDs. The primary aim is to explore the perceived capability of OTDs following completion of the Metro South Health ‘Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Capability Module’. The secondary aim is to understand OTDs’ preference on the best content and format of cultural education. Methods A pilot study consisting of surveys sent to OTDs practicing within Bayside Health Service, Queensland, Australia. Eligible participants were overseas-trained doctors employed within the Regional Health Service between 01-07-23 to 01-07-24, who had provisional registration with Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). The survey utilised a validated 22-item Cultural Capability Measurement Tool (CCMT) to measure cultural capabilities, as well as free-text responses to elicit views on format and content of future cultural education. Quantitative data were analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS)’s statistical functions, with results presented as median, the inter-quartile range, frequencies, and percentages for each Likert score within the CCMT. Qualitative data were analysed using descriptive thematic analysis and integrated with frequency counts to highlight key patterns. Results A sample of 16 OTDs (response rate of 45.7%) were recruited. OTDs reported an understanding of people from different cultures, which extended into a shared sense of responsibility to help improve First People’s health. A lack of understanding of First People’s history has limited OTDs in their ability to provide culturally safe healthcare. OTDs expressed preference for both in-person teaching and e-learning modules to enhance their cultural capability skills. Conclusions The current ‘Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Capability Module’ is an effective starting tool to aid OTDs' delivery of culturally safe healthcare. Comprehensive orientation programmes represent a promising area for future development in cultural education, with potential to build on existing foundations and better equip OTDs to meet the cultural needs of First Peoples. This research contributes to broader efforts to improve health outcomes and narrow disparities between First Peoples and other Australians.