Welcome to the Reflexivity in Health Communication module.
Acknowledgement of Country
We would like to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which this module was designed and developed, the Yuggera and Turrbal people. We invite you to learn about and acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which you join us.
We would like to pay our respects to the Ancestors and Descendants of these lands and acknowledge their continued cultural and spiritual connections to Country. We would also like to recognise their valuable contributions to Australian and global society.
This is a module about reflexivity! Reflexivity is a process of active and critical reflection. So, acknowledging Country is not only about situating ourselves in Country - an important practice in and of itself. It is also about how this process of acknowledging Country can shape and transform how we see and experience ourselves on these lands, and indeed how we communicate about health (not to mention, who’s health). With that in mind, we would like to acknowledge the tremendous contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to Western ideas and theories of reflexivity.
Learning Objectives
With these important introductory notes, let’s dive into the learning objectives for this module.
By the end of this module, you will be able to:
Understand the difference between self-reflection and critical reflexivity in health communication practice.
Understand the importance of reflexivity in health communication.
Understand that reflexivity is a process that becomes a practice.
Estimated learner time: 30 min
1. The Reflexivity Iceberg
Paying Close Attention…
Let's break this down a little further.
Above the surface we reflect on our skills, how we see the world (our values, and worldview), and our personal characteristics. We reflect to understand how these ways of seeing and being in the world shape our professional practice. We reflect with the aim of IMPROVING our practice.
To engage in this level of reflection, what is called self-reflection, we might ask ourselves several questions…
Below the surface, and when we engage in critical reflexivity, we acknowledge that none of us can separate from the broader systems and power structures that are alive in our culture (i.e., the water). We are all tethered to these in some way or another.
Critical reflexivity is a tool for allowing us to see these connections, and to see how we are shaped by them and can in turn shape and transform ourselves and the cultures we are part of.
To engage in this level of reflection, what is called critical reflexivity, we might ask ourselves several questions…