Personal Reflection on Privilege
MMIHardAnswer the question
Personal Reflection on Privilege
Every medical student brings their own background into the communities they serve, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. How has your background shaped the way you understand people's access to health care, and where will you need to watch your own assumptions?
What specific behaviours will you watch for in yourself on placement?
What is the difference between genuine humility and self-flagellation?
Who will hold you accountable for culturally safe practice, and how will you invite that feedback?
Speak it out loud and we'll type it for you (free), or type your own notes — then mark yourself below.
- Answer the question directly, give evidence, then reflect on what it means for you as a doctor.
What strong answers doReveal the benchmark
Hidden so they don't bias your answer. Score yourself first, then reveal them to compare.
- Be concrete about your own background and name a specific assumption it could produce, such as reading a missed appointment as disinterest rather than transport, cost or a previous bad experience with the health system.
- Give behaviours, not just attitudes, and distinguish humility from performance: constant apologising is its own way of centring yourself, and the test is the patient's experience of you, not your internal sense of it.
- Name your accountability structures: an Indigenous mentor where possible, a supervisor who treats culturally safe practice as part of their feedback role, and feedback from Aboriginal Health Workers, Liaison Officers and community members.
Mark yourself
Score each skill against the rubric, then add a line of evidence. Scale:
Personal Insight
0/3Mature self-awareness
Reflection
0/3Distinguishes performance from humility
Ethical Awareness
0/3Structural privilege awareness
Communication
0/3Honest framing