Review Article
The role of governance in Indigenous medical education research
AUTHORS
Andrea McKivett1 MAH, Year 1–3 Rural BMD Lead * 
Karen Glover2 MBA, Senior Research Fellow
Yvonne Clark3 PhD, Senior Research Fellow
Juli Coffin4 PhD, Ellison Fellow of Aboriginal Health and Head, Social & Emotional Wellbeing of Aboriginal Young People
David Paul5 PhD, Associate Dean Aboriginal Health, Adjunct Professor, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide
Judith Nicoll Hudson6 PhD, Adjunct Professor University of Adelaide
Peter O’Mara7 MBBS, Director
AFFILIATIONS
1 Adelaide Rural Clinical School, Port Augusta Site Office, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5077, Australia
2 Aboriginal Communities and Families Health Research Alliance, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia; and Intergenerational Health, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Melbourne, Vic. 3052, Australia
3 Aboriginal Communities and Families Health Research, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia; and Intergenerational Health, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Melbourne, Vic. 3052, Australia
4 Head Social and Emotional Wellbeing of Aboriginal Young People, Telethon Kids Institute, Broome, WA 6725, Australia
5 School of Medicine Fremantle, University of Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle, WA, Australia
6 School of Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
7 Thurru Indigenous Health Unit, School of Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW 2300, Australia
ACCEPTED: 1 March 2021
early abstract:
Context: This paper considers the role of governance in Indigenous medical education research through the lens of an Australian Aboriginal research project titled Healing Conversations. The Healing Conversations project is developing and testing a targeted educational framework for improved clinical communication between healthcare practitioners and Australian Aboriginal peoples in regional and urban locations. It is proposed that an effective governance approach can support Indigenous and non-Indigenous stakeholders to work together in decision-making structures to enable outcomes that promote and prioritise Indigenous worldviews and values in medical education research.
Issue: This case-study puts forth the notion of effective governance as one practical way to decolonise medical education research structures in both the urban and regional setting. The importance of relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous stakeholders is supported in tailored governance structures, as knowledge translation efforts are situated in mainstream tertiary education structures that hold collective responsibility and accountability for change in this space.
Lessons learnt: Reflections from the Healing Conversations research case-study are outlined for future consideration regarding sustainable and effective Indigenous governance initiatives in medical education and research structures. This includes the importance of an Indigenous governance structure within the research team and a strong understanding of the roles and contributions of each research team member, along with the required humanistic qualities to action effective governance in Indigenous medical education research. Collaborative governance structures are fundamental as the inclusion and prioritisation of Indigenous worldviews and values is a key step in redressing Indigenous healthcare disparities and providing culturally safe healthcare institutions.