Decisions on cancer care by Indigenous peoples in Alberta and Saskatchewan: a narrative analysis

Roberts, Rose; Groot, Gary; Carr, Tracey

doi:10.22605/rrh5610

“…Similar to other qualitative research methodologies, interpretive description privileges depth of understanding and actionable improvements over broad generalisability. This methodological approach also values participant voices, an important feature of Indigenous methodologies [ 20 , 21 ].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Participants were identified and invited to participate by a local advisor in Black Lake who was a member of the project team (M.B.). The local advisor drew upon her personal connections and social networks to invite potential individuals to participate; this was determined to be a culturally safe and culturally relevant approach to participant recruitment and is similar to other projects employing Indigenous methodologies [ 21 ]. To ensure participant confidentiality, no medical records or other health information were accessed to identify potential participants.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Access to ultrasound imaging: A qualitative study in two northern, remote, Indigenous communities in Canada

Adams

¹

,

Babyn

²

,

Burbridge

³

et al. 2021

International Journal of Circumpolar Health

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Ultrasound imaging is an essential component of healthcare services. This study sought to explore perceptions of access, and factors which shape access, to ultrasound imaging in two northern, remote, Indigenous communities in Canada. Using interpretive description as a methodological approach and a multi-dimensional conceptualisation of access to care as a theoretical framework, 15 semi-structured interviews were conducted in the northern Canadian communities of Stony Rapids and Black Lake, Saskatchewan. All participants had an obstetrical or non-obstetrical ultrasound exam performed in the past 10 years. Interviews were audio recorded and interview transcripts were analysed using constant comparative analysis. Geographic isolation from imaging facilities was a central barrier to participants accessing ultrasound imaging. Other barriers became apparent when participants had to travel for ultrasound, including fear of air travel, isolation from family, financial means, and unfamiliarity with larger cities. Barriers such as family and work responsibilities were exacerbated by the barrier of geography. Participants overcame these barriers as they were motivated by potential diagnostic benefits of ultrasound imaging. This study highlights disparities in access to ultrasound for northern, remote, Indigenous populations. Future efforts to improve access to imaging should consider barriers of distance to imaging facilities and strategies to bridge these barriers.

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“…Indigenous cancer patients and their families). However, the barriers to care proposed in the current study address are reiterated from previous qualitative research examining the experiences of Indigenous cancer patients in Saskatchewan; for instance, issues with coordinating and up-front costs for medical travel [10], the lack of culturally-appropriate accommodations [24], and the absence of information and access to Traditional medicine [25]. The shared perceptions of barriers to cancer care from both Indigenous peoples and service providers highlight that these concerns are relevant to the population utilizing the health care system and those providing care within it.…”

Section: Limitationsmentioning

confidence: 98%

Service Providers’ Perceptions of Support Needs for Indigenous Cancer Patients in Saskatchewan: A Needs Assessment

Sedgewick

¹

,

Ali

²

,

Badea

³

et al. 2021

Preprint

Self Cite

0

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Background: In Saskatchewan, Canada, Indigenous cancer care services at the municipal, provincial, and federal levels are intended to improve quality care but can result in a complex, fragmented, and multi-jurisdictional health care system. A multi-phase needs assessment project was initiated to document Indigenous cancer care needs. Guided by Indigenous patient partners, clinicians, academics, and policy makers, the present study reflects a needs assessment of Indigenous cancer supports from the perspectives of cancer care service providers.Methods: Qualitative data were collected through three group interviews with 20 service providers for cancer patients and their families at three Saskatchewan cities. Participants included chemotherapy and radiation nurses, social workers, a patient navigator, dieticians, and practicum students. A semi-structured interview guide was used to conduct the sessions to allow for freedom of responses. Data were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Service providers’ perspectives were categorized into five themes: 1) addressing travel-related issues, 2) logistical challenges, 3) improvements to Indigenous-specific health care supports, 4) cultural sensitivity in health care, and 5) consistency in care. Supports differed for the two Indigenous groups, First Nations and Métis. Service providers made recommendations regarding how needs could be met. They saw language translation providers and Elder supports as important. Travel recommendations included medical taxis accommodating for more breaks to alleviate the uncomfortable side effects of cancer treatment and Indigenous-specific accommodations be provided. These recommendations aligned with supports that are available in four other Canadian provinces.Conclusions: These results identified gaps in supports and outlined recommendations to address barriers to cancer care from the perspectives of service providers. These recommendations may inform evidence-based health system interventions for Indigenous cancer patients and ultimately aim to improve cancer care services, quality of life, and health outcomes of Indigenous patients throughout their cancer journey.

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“…A limitation of our study is that the support needs were identi ed by non-Indigenous service providers and therefore, these needs may not be consistent with the needs proposed by those with lived experience (i.e., Indigenous cancer patients and their families). However, the barriers to care proposed in the current study address are reiterated from previous qualitative research examining the experiences of Indigenous cancer patients in Saskatchewan; for instance, issues with coordinating and up-front costs for medical travel [10], the lack of culturally-appropriate accommodations [24], and the absence of information and access to Traditional medicine [25]. The shared perceptions of barriers to cancer care from both Indigenous peoples and service providers highlight that these concerns are relevant to the population utilizing the health care system and those providing care within it.…”

Section: Limitationsmentioning

confidence: 98%

Service Providers’ Perceptions of Support Needs for Indigenous Cancer Patients in Saskatchewan: a Needs Assessment

Sedgewick

¹

,

Ali

²

,

Badea

³

et al. 2020

Preprint

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: In Saskatchewan, Canada, Indigenous cancer care services at the municipal, provincial, and federal levels are intended to improve quality care but can result in a complex, fragmented, and multi-jurisdictional health care system. A multi-phase needs assessment project was initiated to document Indigenous cancer care needs. Guided by Indigenous patient partners, clinicians, academics, and policy makers, the present study reflects a needs assessment of Indigenous cancer supports from the perspectives of cancer care service providers.Methods: Qualitative data were collected through three group interviews with 20 service providers for cancer patients and their families at three Saskatchewan cities. Participants included chemotherapy and radiation nurses, social workers, a patient navigator, dieticians, and practicum students. A semi-structured interview guide was used to conduct the sessions to allow for freedom of responses. Data were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Service providers’ perspectives were categorized into five themes: 1) addressing travel-related issues, 2) logistical challenges, 3) improvements to Indigenous-specific health care supports, 4) cultural sensitivity in health care, and 5) consistency in care. Supports differed for the two Indigenous groups, First Nations and Métis. Service providers made recommendations regarding how needs could be met. They saw language translation providers and Elder supports as important. Travel recommendations included medical taxis accommodating for more breaks to alleviate the uncomfortable side effects of cancer treatment and Indigenous-specific accommodations be provided. These recommendations aligned with supports that are available in four other Canadian provinces.Conclusions: These results identified gaps in supports and outlined recommendations to address barriers to cancer care from the perspectives of service providers. These recommendations may inform evidence-based health system interventions for Indigenous cancer patients and ultimately aim to improve cancer care services, quality of life, and health outcomes of Indigenous patients throughout their cancer journey.

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Decisions on cancer care by Indigenous peoples in Alberta and Saskatchewan: a narrative analysis

Cited by 8 publications

References 0 publications

Access to ultrasound imaging: A qualitative study in two northern, remote, Indigenous communities in Canada

Access to ultrasound imaging: A qualitative study in two northern, remote, Indigenous communities in Canada

Service Providers’ Perceptions of Support Needs for Indigenous Cancer Patients in Saskatchewan: A Needs Assessment

Service Providers’ Perceptions of Support Needs for Indigenous Cancer Patients in Saskatchewan: a Needs Assessment

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