Looking back by listening: reflections on an oral history

Oral history values the life experience of others. It provides insight into past events, offering a colourful historical perspective which is alive with emotion and rich in character. This account presents recollections of health care training from a markedly different social, economic, cultural and political environment. Reflecting on the oral history allows exploration of aspects of the interview. Confidentiality, respect, familiarity, bias, language and the generation gap impacted on the process. The potential of older members of the community to contribute to the compilation of historical accounts is recognised and their active role valued.