Envisioning Indigenous and biomedical healthcare collaboration at Stanton Territorial Hospital, Northwest Territories

Abstract

Background: To improve the quality of care for Indigenous patients, local Indigenous leaders in the Northwest Territories, Canada have called for more culturally responsive models for Indigenous and biomedical healthcare collaboration at Stanton Territorial Hospital. Objective: This study examined how Indigenous patients and biomedical healthcare providers envision Indigenous healing practices working successfully with biomedical hospital care at Stanton Territorial Hospital. Methods: We carried out a qualitative study from May 2018 – June 2022. The study was overseen by an Indigenous Community Advisory Committee and was made up of two methods: (1) interviews ( n = 41) with Indigenous Elders, patient advocates, and healthcare providers, and (2) sharing circles with four Indigenous Elders. Results: Participants’ responses revealed three conceptual models for Indigenous and biomedical healthcare collaboration: the (1) integration; (2) independence; and (2) revisioning relationship models. In this article, we describe participants’ proposed models and examine the extent to which each model is likely to improve care for Indigenous patients at Stanton Territorial Hospital. By surfacing new models for Indigenous and biomedical healthcare collaboration, the study findings deepen and extend understandings of hospital-based Indigenous wellness services and illuminate directions for future research.