Cultural Safety
STATUS: Data analysis underway
Project Overview:
This collaborative research project aims to establish a baseline understanding of cultural safety within the dietetic profession across Australia and Aotearoa (New Zealand). The aim is to generate evidence based recommendations that empower dietitians to deliver more effective and culturally responsive dietetic care.
The objectives of the study are:
Assess understanding, attitudes, and approaches to culturally responsive practices among dietetic educators and practising dietitians, particularly when working with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and/or Māori people/communities.
Examine integration of cultural considerations in teaching practices, assessment methods, and organisational approaches across education and workplace settings.
Explore barriers and enablers to implementing culturally responsive practices across different stakeholder groups.
The project is structured in two phases:
Phase 1: Development and distribution of a 15–20-minute online survey to dietetic academics and practitioners in Australia and Aotearoa, establishing a baseline of cultural safety within the profession.
Phase 2: Qualitative interviews with selected survey respondents to further investigate how dietitians navigate cultural safety in practice and to identify actionable strategies for enhancing culturally responsive care.
Project Team:
The project team represents a collaboration of academic researchers from across Aotearoa and Australia. Aotearoa Team: Dr Hannah Rapata (Director ĀRAHI research & consulting, NZ), Professor Clare Wall (Head of School of Medical Sciences, University of Auckland, NZ) and Clare Wallis (Professional Teaching Fellow, University of Auckland, NZ). The Australian Team: Dr Tameka McFayden (Senior Lecturer, University of Newcastle, NSW), Professor Rozanne Kruger (Discipline Lead for Nutrition and Dietetics, Griffith University, QLD), Professor Sharon Croxford (Australian Catholic University, Victoria), Professor Anna Rangan (Program Director for Master of Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Sydney, NSW), Professor Andrea Begley (Director of Learning and Teaching, Curtin University, WA) and Amira Hassan (Project Officer, Curtin University, WA)
The research is co-led by Dr Tameka McFayden, who is Aboriginal (Wonarura and Kamilaroi descendant) and Dr Hannah Rapata, who is of Māori descent (Kāi Tahu, Ngāti Rahiri Tumutumu). Both are experienced dietetic health researchers who bring Aboriginal and Māori perspectives and extensive research experience to this collaboration ensuring it respects the knowledge systems and ways of being of Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander peoples and Māori communities. The non-Indigenous research team members have completed Indigenous Allied Health Australia’s Level 1-3 Cultural responsiveness training and the Introduction to Maori health and cultural safety training developed by Dr Hannah Rapata.
Governance:
Aboriginal and Māori researchers will maintain governance authority over how data about dietitians' cultural safety knowledge and practice is interpreted and used.
Ethics:
Primary ethics approval was obtained from the Western Australian Aboriginal Health Ethics Committee (HREC1442). Curtin University Human Research Ethics Committee and the University of Auckland Human Research Ethics Committee have reciprocally approved this study.
Phase 1: Building Culturally Responsive Practice with Indigenous Populations in Dietetics – A Guided Trans-Tasman Effort (BRIDGE) Survey
The BRIDGE survey was developed using established, validated instruments that assess cultural competency, cultural safety awareness, and attitudes and capabilities related to cross-cultural healthcare practice. Items were also adapted from existing instruments developed by Aboriginal and Māori organisations that examine organisational support, opportunities, and structures for cultural safety across various practice settings. Additional questions addressed knowledge gaps identified by the research team within the dietetic profession. The survey concluded with an open-ended question to gather further feedback and gauge interest in future research participation. The final instrument was a self-administered online survey (approximately 15–20 minutes) delivered via Qualtrics. A multi-faceted recruitment strategy was employed, including outreach through social media, newsletters from key dietetic organizations (CDND, Dietitians Australia, Dietitians NZ, the Dietitians Board, NaDEAN, Dietitians Connection), word of mouth among colleagues and partners, and targeted efforts to engage Māori and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dietitians through networks such as Te Whatu Ora, Te Kāhui Manukura o Kai Ora, and Deadly Nutrition. Survey dissemination and recruitment commenced on October 23, 2025. Over this period, we have received 271 completed survey responses (n = 94 from Aotearoa, n = 177 from Australia), with 75 respondents indicating interest in participating in further research on this topic.
Formal analysis of the obtained data will commence in early 2026, guided by our Aboriginal and Māori research members.
Phase 2: BRIDGE interviews with dietetic academics and practising dietitians
Respondents who indicated a willingness to participate in future research will be contacted for an interview. The interview guide will be informed by Phase 1 results, further exploring identified gaps in knowledge, attitudes, and skills related to cultural safety. Interviews will focus on exploring practical strategies for improving cultural responsiveness within dietetic practice, education, and professional settings.