Development of a community-based medical rehabilitation program in the Kivalliq Region of Nunavut, Canada

Abstract

The total population of the service area is approximately 8,000 people, the significant majority of whom self-report as Inuit, and are widely dispersed over eight communities. Despite the challenges in terms of culture, geography and recruitment of introducing a rehabilitation program in Canada's north, the residents of the Kivalliq Region now have a viable model of receiving rehabilitative intervention in their home communities.

Experiences of cancer rehabilitation among patients in rural areas in northern Iceland: physical and psychosocial well-being, coping, quality of life, and satisfaction with care. A qualitative study

“…The findings in this study give reason to believe that systematic cooperation between healthcare practitioners and specific rehabilitation institutions in rural areas are essential [13][14][15]. As seen in this study the participants were not given adequate information on rehabilitation resources, nor were they referred to a specific rehabilitation centre or institution, unless they had asked for it themselves.…”

“…Previous studies conducted in the Circumpolar North have elaborated on the lack of access to healthcare services and the consequences it may have for health and well-being [17]. These are great challenges facing healthcare professionals today, due to the growing burden of cancer in some of the inhabited Arctic regions [13][14][15]. In the light of results in this study future research should focus on patients' awareness of cancer rehabilitation and resources in his community.…”

“…It has also been pointed out that nurses lack knowledge and practice to design exercise programmes for patients with cancer [20]. Unfortunately, little attention has been paid to cancer rehabilitation for patients in rural areas, preventing any suggestions on that aspect of care in such an environment [15].…”

“…Furthermore, the incidence rate of cancer among the Icelandic population has quadrupled since registration on cancer diagnosis began in 1954, around 1,500 individuals are diagnosed on a yearly basis [12]. Studies conducted in the Circumpolar North have addressed the diverse and unique healthcare delivery in that part of the world [13][14][15] showing that cancer is becoming a significant public health problem. Findings indicate an urgent need for improvement in both access to and delivery of the relevant services [11,13,14,16].…”

Hunter-Gatherers and the Behavioural Ecology of Human Occupation

“…Web site as the first annual meeting held north of the 60th parallel (National Aboriginal Health Organization [NAHO], 2008). Major challenges remain in the implementation of occupational therapy services in indigenous communities in Canada (Fricke et al, 2004). However, Aboriginal peoples themselves see the development of "culturally relevant/ responsive health care programs" as central to health promotion (NAHO, 2003), and this paper argues thatbecause the occupations of hunter-gathering or foraging are of such central importance to many Aboriginal peopleoccupational therapy is in a particularly favored position to develop such programs.…”