Cultural Issues involving doctor patient communication

Distance: Goori clans have centred themselves in traditional meeting places, as well as the outer edges of towns, all which tend to be strategically further from available service centres.

Transport: Challenges here include availability of private or public transport, including drivers, as Goori women often do not have a license, and conditions of the road, especially in our flood prone areas.
Finances: This features in every detail from telephone or radio access, to payment for transport and medical services.
Social Supports: Childcare is especially important in these communities, as the cost and ability to take the whole family along is often impossible. Cultural or family responsibilities are often obligations greater than the individual need.
Disability: A further possible limitation, not provided for at many levels.
Cultural appropriateness: An often cited cause for hesitation, including the degree of indigenous involvement in the facility, how aware and how trusted the health practitioners are, and of course language and gender issues, kinship obligations, education.
Timing: All of the above have to then coordinate with service availability and an understanding of appointment systems.
Paperwork: Attainment of appropriate identification such as Medicare card, Healthcare card or license, are made especially difficult if they have no birth certificate or are unable to fill in the paperwork due to illiteracy.
Fear: Fear of big buildings, especially when having to go up flights of stairs away from the earth’s force; fear of hustle and bustle and confusion; fear of judgment; fear of misunderstanding; fear of pain; fear of poor prognosis; fear of death; fear of embarrassment or having to discuss private or taboo subjects; and basic fear of western culture including medicines or invasive treatments.