Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples experience persistent disadvantage and health inequity in today’s society. Current literature suggests that an increase in culturally safe care may assist in bettering the health outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander recipients of care. This article reports on research into paramedics' understanding and perceptions of cultural safety and the provision of culturally safe care.

The data identified four major themes: characteristics of being culturally safe, approaches to clinical practice, inferiority stereotyping and education. Limited understanding of cultural safety was identified in participants. Participants did not display critical cultural reflection, and instead discourses within a democratic racism framework were present. 

This small qualitative study suggests that paramedic practice may not be underpinned by the principles of cultural safety, calling into question the provision of culturally safe care.