CURATED CONTENT MHST 601

Curated jewels to facilitate learnings in this course

Unit 6 Vulnerable Populations

Local Resources

London Health Sciences Center. (2021). London’s culturally aware Indigenous vaccination program underway at Agriplex site. [Media Release]. https://www.lhsc.on.ca/about-lhsc/londons-culturally-aware-indigenous-vaccination-program-underway-at-agriplex-site

Through SOAHAC, Indigenous Peoples had the opportunity to receive Covid vaccines in a dedicated space (opened with a sacred tobacco ceremony) by an Indigenous vaccinator.

London Health Sciences Center. (n.d.). Indigenous Healing Space. https://www.lhsc.on.ca/patients-visitors/indigenous-healing-space

In response the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action under health care, and as part of London Health Sciences Center’s Health Equity plan, LHSC has established the Indigenous Healing Space with the collaborative partnership of an Indigenous Healing Services Advisor.

London Health Sciences Center. (2012, June 21). Aboriginal Navigator joins circle of care at LHSC. https://www.lhsc.on.ca/about-lhsc/aboriginal-navigator-joins-circle-of-care-at-lhsc

The Aboriginal Patient Navigator is a member of the care team that aids First Nations, Metis, Inuit, Status and Non-Status persons who need help to find their way through the complex hospital system, to ‘’ensure access to and provision of, culturally appropriate health care services, and strive to eliminate any barriers that might be there” (LHSC, 2012)

McConkey, S. (2017, Fall). Indigenous access barriers to health care services in London, Ontario: The "Engaging for Change Improving Health Services for Indigenous Peoples" qualitative study. University of Western Ontario Medical Journal, 86(2),6-9. https://ojs.lib.uwo.ca/index.php/uwomj/article/view/1407

This author of this article conducted a small local study on the barriers faced by Indigenous peoples in the London area. The author identified discriminatory behavior towards Indigenous peoples from physicians (self-identified) as well as barriers to getting follow-up care, transportation issues (getting to and from reserves), and physicians unwilling to take on patients with complex issues.

Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre. (n.d.). All About SOAHAC. https://soahac.on.ca/about-soahac/

The purpose of the SOAHAC is to improve the quality of health services and access to health services for First Nations, Inuit and Metis people in Southwestern Ontario. Its focus is on traditional health, along with primary health care. It also provides health promotion services, cultural programs, traditional healing, community development initiatives and social support services.

Vulnerable Population: Indigenous Peoples

Allen, L., Hatala, A., Ijaz, S., Courchene, D. & Bushie, B. (2020, March 2). Indigenous-led health care partnerships in Canada. CMAJ: Canadian Medical Association Journal, 192(9). https://doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.190728

This article discusses the importance and the benefits of Indigenous People’s traditional ways of life and their healing practices, with examples of Indigenous-led health care partnerships that support collaboration between mainstream medicine and Indigenous practices for Indigenous Peoples.

Beavis, A.S.W., Hojjati, A., Kassam, A., Choudhury, D., Fraser, M., Masching, R., & Nixon, S.A. (2015). What all students in healthcare training programs should learn to increase health equity: perspectives on postcolonialism and the health of Aboriginal Peoples in Canada. BMC Medical Education, 15(155). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-015-0442-y

This study aims to provide healthcare professionals and educators with guidance on how to include post colonialism and health into curriculum and recommend the curriculum contain teachings on the history on colonialism and how it continues to produce health inequities, that the teaching should occur longitudinally through a variety of teaching methods and be developed in collaboration with Indigenous partners.

Government of Canada. (2021, November 25). Indigenous Peoples. https://www.canada.ca/en/services/indigenous-peoples.html

Federal programs and services for First Nations, Inuit and Métis through the Government of Canada.

Government of Canada. (2022, February 10). Indigenous Services Canada. https://www.canada.ca/en/indigenous-services-canada.html

A website about Indigenous Services Canada (ISC), a federal department that supports the delivery of services (health care, childcare, education, infrastructure) to First Nations, Inuit and Métis and empowers Indigenous peoples to provide and deliver their own services.

Ontario Health. (2022, March 9). Equity, Inclusion, Diversity and Anti-Racism. https://www.ontariohealth.ca/sites/ontariohealth/files/2020-12/Equity%20Framework.pdf

Ontario Health's Equity, Inclusion, Diversity and Anti-Racism Framework, a working guide to address the impact of anti-indigenous racism and to contribute to better outcomes for patients, families and providers within the healthcare system.

Richmond, C. & Cook, C. (2016). Creating conditions for Canadian aboriginal health equity: the promise of healthy public policy. Public Health Reviews. 37(2). https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40985-016-0016-5

This article reviews the Indian Act and the impact it has had on shaping current health inequities amongst Indigenous Peoples. This article also discusses the need for public policy to champion the rights of Indigenous People by addressing the social determinants of health.

Vulnerable Populations: Veterans

Besemann, M., Hebert, J., Thompson, J., Cooper, R., Gupta, G., Bremault-Phillips, S. & Dentry, S. (2018, December). Reflections on recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration of injured service members and veterans from a bio-psychosocial-spiritual perspective. Canadian Journal of Surgery, 61(6). https://www.canjsurg.ca/content/61/6_Suppl_1/S219

An in-depth article on the recovery and rehabilitation of military personal with a focus on the bio-psychosocial-spiritual model of health.

Colon, L. (2015, April 19). Veterans as A Vulnerable Population [Video]. You Tube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsCScw9onZE

A video from the viewpoint of the United States on Veterans as a Vulnerable Population.

Marcelin, J., Siraj, D., Victor, R., Kotadia, S. & Maldonado, Y. (2019, August 20). The Impact of Unconscious Bias in Healthcare: How to Recognize and Mitigate It. The Journal of Infectious Diseases, 220 (2). https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jiz214

Discussing unconscious biases health care providers may have that perpetuate inequities in health, influence interactions between patient and provider as well as interprofessional interactions. Strategies to address this bias are suggested.

Velez, J. R., Thompson, J. M., Sweet, J., Busse, J. W., & VanTil, L. (2021). Cluster analysis of Canadian Armed Forces veterans living with chronic pain: Life After Service Studies 2016. Canadian Journal of Pain, 5(1), 81–95. https://doi.org/10.1080/24740527.2021.1898278

This study examined the demographics of Veterans of the Canadian Armed Forces living with chronic pain to inform future research, planning and health care needs.