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Module 1 : Introduction
6 Lessons-
StartIndigenous life pre-colonisation and in the current day: Indigenous science, belief systems, reframing the narrative from deficits discourse to strengths based
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StartSocial & cultural determinants of health: Appropriateness and relevance
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StartResearch project - Traumatology Talks: Black Wounds, White Stitches: Inception, partners, methodology, intro to findings
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StartClosing what gap? Better understanding First Nations patients’ underpinning trauma
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StartThe role of cultural safety in emergency department settings
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StartRecap on background info and setting the scene for body of course
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Module 2: Communication & comprehension: Breaking down barriers
6 Lessons-
StartOverview of module and main themes from the Traumatology Talks research relevant to communication and comprehension
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StartBody-parts approach compared to person-centred care – connection to cultural determinants of health
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StartOptimising the experience of Indigenous patients in the ED and preventing leave events: Valuing family & support people
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StartEffective communication in a stressful environment: Understanding the value of cultural training in reducing stressors for staff and patients.
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StartED staff perceptions and the influence on care including perceptions of special treatment. Human rights, equity and equality of care.
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StartEffective communication styles – What the research shows works: Indigenous workforce, picture boards, co-design, peer support, culturally safe interpersonal communication
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Module 3: Recognising, respecting & responding to culture in emergency health care settings
6 Lessons-
StartOverview of module and learning outcomes: Listening and responding to culturally specific sensitivities that might affect presentations
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StartMental health presentations
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StartSpecific areas of cultural sensitivity: Gender, privacy, spotlight on individuals
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StartDeath and dying: Culturally sensitive palliative care
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StartRecognising pain symptoms: Culturally sensitive pain management
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StartUseful tools: Cultural safety survey tool plus…
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Module 4: What does urgent look like? Addressing needs of people in triage categories 3–5
5 Lessons-
StartOverview of module and learning outcomes: What does ‘urgent’ look like? Inherent barriers in the hierarchical triage system that lead to poor outcomes for Indigenous patients
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Start‘Waiting, waiting, waiting’ and other barriers to health seeking, including encountering conscious or unconscious bias
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StartWhat works: St Vincent’s Flexi-clinic model
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StartA new approach: Social Emergency Care
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StartFurther recommendations to address barriers: The value of an Indigenous workforce
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Module 5: Spaces and places in emergency health care
4 Lessons-
StartImpact of the ED physical environment on First Nations patients: Failing to address the cultural determinants of health and wellbeing
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StartCross-cultural considerations to enhance the environment and improve patient experience: Recommendations to directly address poor emergency department design
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StartA welcoming environment for First Nations patients according to the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards
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StartAboriginal and Torres Strait islander workforce targets and Indigenous Procurement Policy embedded in health care settings, improve quality of service
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Module 6: Course recap & advocating for best practice health care settings
4 Lessons-
StartRecap: Summary of Modules 1, 2 and 3
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StartRecap: Summary of Modules 4 and 5
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StartFostering personal goals and advocacy ambitions in health care settings including avenues for further engagement and training
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StartThe power of cultural competency training and engaging with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and organisations
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Traumatology Talks: Black Wounds, White Stitches
Traumatology Talks: Black Wounds, White Stitches Online Course
Presented by Professor Kerry Arabena
Welcome to Traumatology Talks: Black Wounds, White Stitches — a powerful and practical learning experience designed to strengthen cultural safety and trauma-informed care within emergency medicine.
Led by Professor Kerry Arabena, a proud descendant of the Meriam people of the Torres Strait Islands, this course brings together more than three decades of experience in social work, environmental science, community development, and First Nations health leadership. As the founder of Karabena Consulting, Professor Arabena has worked across not-for-profit, community-controlled, and academic institutions, driving change through evidence, empathy, and deep cultural insight.
In partnership with the Lowitja Institute and the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine, Karabena Consulting developed the research paper “Traumatology Talks: Black Wounds, White Stitches” (2020). The study examined First Nations peoples’ experiences in emergency departments and identified the barriers and opportunities for delivering culturally safe, trauma-aware healthcare.
Building on this landmark research, this course transforms those findings into an engaging and reflective professional learning program for healthcare workers. Participants will gain the knowledge, tools, and confidence to provide care that recognises the historical, social, and cultural dimensions of trauma — and to contribute to safer, more equitable emergency care environments.
Course Overview
The course consists of six modules.
- Module 1: Introduction
- Module 2: Communication & comprehension: Breaking down barriers
- Module 3: Recognising, respecting & responding to culture in emergency health care settings
- Module 4: What does urgent look like? Addressing needs of people in triage categories 3–5
- Module 5: Spaces and places in emergency health care
- Module 6: Course recap & advocating for best practice health care settings
Structure
- Each module is designed to be engaging and manageable, with lessons that can typically be completed in 15-30 minutes.
- The lessons are structured to fit around your schedule, allowing you to progress at your own pace while building a strong foundation of knowledge.
- You can choose to follow the lessons in sequence for a structured learning experience or explore specific topics of interest based on your needs and experience.
Duration
The time required to work through the learning materials will vary depending on your prior knowledge, your purpose for learning more about trauma in emergency medicine, the number of activities you engage with, as well as things like the speed at which you read.
On average, expect to spend approximately 15-30 minutes per lesson, including reading, reflection, and engagement with activities. To gain the most from the course, we encourage a paced approach that allows time for deep reflection and application of key concepts.
Workbook Activities
- The activities in this workbook are optional, but we strongly encourage you to complete them. These tasks are designed to hel reinforce key concepts, deepen your understanding, and apply learning to real-world contexts.
- You can complete the activities at any time, and you may find it useful to save and revisit your responses to track your progress and reflect on how your understanding evolves.
- You can work through the activities individually or with a colleague who is also completing the course. Discussing your ideas with others is another way of reinforcing your learning and may provide useful ideas for how to implement ideas and understandings from the course.
Learning Materials
Each lesson includes a range of materials to support your learning, including videos and workbook content. How you engage with these materials is up to you:
- You might choose to watch the video first, then use the workbook to reinforce key points and consolidate your understanding.
- Alternatively, you may prefer to read through the workbook first, then watch the video to add further insights and perspectives.
Some modules also include fact sheets, suggested readings, and additional resources. These are available if you want to explore specific topics in more detail or gain a deeper understanding of particular aspects of the course. The way you engage with the materials may depend on the time you have available, the environment in which you’re reading/viewing (i.e. your capacity to focus), or areas of particular interest to you.
Learning Outcomes
The learning outcomes in each module provide a clear roadmap of what you can expect to gain from the lessons. They outline the key skills, knowledge, and insights you’ll develop, helping you stay focused and track your progress. Paying attention to these outcomes ensures you engage with the most relevant content and understand how each lesson contributes to your overall learning. They also serve as a guide for reflection, allowing you to assess your growth and identify areas where you may want to explore further.
Kerry Arabena
Professor Kerry Arabena
A descendant of the Meriam people from the Torres Strait, Kerry’s work has brought her to the forefront of Indigenous affairs in Australia. A former social worker with a Doctorate in Environmental Science, Kerry has held senior positions including Chair of Indigenous Health at the University of Melbourne, Executive Director of First 1000 Days Australia, CEO of the Lowitja Institute, and Director of Indigenous Health Research at Monash University. Kerry is the former President of Ecohealth International, a Scientific Commissioner with The Lancet Pathfinder project and a Director of IgNITE.
With an extensive background in public health, administration, community development and research, Kerry has led a wide range of organisations and committees including the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Equality Council and the National Congress of Australia’s First People. Currently a Director of Kinaway Chamber of Commerce, Kerry holds an honorary professorial position with the University of Melbourne and has a number of entrepreneurial programs in development.
