Creating space for Indigenous healing practices in patient care plans

Abstract


 
 
 Background: The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action ask that those who can effect change within the Canadian healthcare system recognize the value of Indigenous healing practices and support them in the treatment of Indigenous patients.
 Methods: We distributed a survey to the Canadian Rheumatology Association membership to assess awareness of Indigenous healing practices, and attitudes informing their acceptance in patient care plans.
 Results: We received responses from 77/514 members (15%), with most (73%) being unclear or unaware of what Indigenous healing practices were. Nearly all (93%) expressed interest in the concept of creating space for Indigenous healing practices in rheumatology care plans. The majority of support was for the use in preventive or symptom management strategies, and less as adjuncts to disease activity control. Themes identified through qualitative analysis of free-text responses included a desire for patient-centered care and support for reconciliation in medicine, but with a colonial construct of medicine, demonstration of an evidence bias, and hierarchy of medicines.
 Conclusions: Overall, respondents were open to the idea of inclusion of Indigenous healing practices in patient’s car plans, emphasizing importance for patient empowerment and patient-centered care. However, they cited concerns that provide the indication for further learning and reconciliation in medicine.
 
 

Towards attainment of Indigenous health through empowerment: resetting health systems, services and provider approaches

“…There is a need for welcoming and supporting the incorporation of traditional practices in healthcare plans. Ongoing privileging of western evidence base in medicine, either through provider hesitancy of accepting the benefit of Indigenous healing practices in maintaining health, 31 or through not funding Indigenous practices, does not align with critical statements by the United Nations, 10 nor the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. 32 There are increasing opportunities provided within mainstream health services to access traditional practices.…”

Is Geographical Isolation Associated with Poorer Outcomes for Northern Manitoba First Nation Communities?

“…Organizational-level interventions to promote the provision of more equitable, responsive, and respectful PHC services for First Nation peoples living on reserves in Manitoba are needed to close the equity gap within this population (Browne et al, 2016). Considerations should be made for policies to better support traditional healing practices; while initiatives have emerged (Blignault et al, 2018;Browne et al, 2018;Drost, 2019;Fijal & Beagan, 2019;Logan et al, 2020), these have been localized…”

Six ways to get a grip on teaching medical trainees on the convergence of Indigenous knowledges and biomedicine, within a culturally-safe Indigenous health curriculum

“…2 In fact, there is a willingness and motivation to learn about Indigenous healing practices among healthcare professionals. 4 However, there are misguided practices to navigate in order to make these teachings successful, and to avoid furthering the racism or inequities that we seek to redress. In addition to the knowledge we seek to disseminate, we also need to consider the pedagogical approach, and ensure critical reflection on the history of harmful ideas and practices that can occur in teaching about the health of Indigenous populations.…”