Mâmawihitowin (bringing the camps together): Perinatal healthcare provider and staff participation in an Indigenous-led experiential intervention for enhancing culturally informed care—a mixed methods study

Abstract

Background In partnership with a Nehiyawak (Plains Cree) community of Maskwacîs,central Alberta (Canada), we implemented an Indigenous-led intervention to provide experiential learning opportunities for perinatal health care providers (HCPs) and staff. Our objective was to capture the impact of participating in cultural safety learning opportunities on perceived self-awareness for HCPs and staff to provide enhanced culturally informed care. Methods Perinatal HCPs and staff who work regularly with Indigenous women from our partnering community took part in a series of experiential learning activities designed by a Community Advisory Committee. We used an explanatory sequential mixed methods approach informed by community-based participatory research. We compared Cultural Intelligence Scale (CQS) and Maskwacîs-Specific Cultural Scale (MSCS) scores pre- and post-intervention using non-parametrical statistical analysis (Wilcoxon signed rank test). Post-intervention, we conducted a qualitative description study using semi-structured interviews. Qualitative data was analyzed using thematic analysis. Results A total of 17 participants completed pre- and post-intervention questionnaires. Responses indicated a shift in perceived cultural and community knowledge and comfort levels, with positive gains in overall mean scores for both the CQS (p = 0.01) and MSCS (p = 0.01). Nine participants completed qualitative interviews. Overall, participants felt better equipped to provide more culturally informed care to their patients post-intervention. Conclusion An Indigenous-led experiential learning intervention was effective in enhancing overall perceived cultural awareness and preparedness to provide culturally informed care for perinatal HCPs and staff. This study provides evidence for fostering relationships between Indigenous communities and health systems toward enhanced perinatal care.

Three Perspectives on the Experience of Support for Family Caregivers in First Nations Communities

“…Racism is a potent psychosocial stressor that combines with other factors to increase poverty, reduce access to employment, reduce mental and physical health, and increase premature mortality. [ 37 , 38 ] Indigenous people need access to culturally informed and equitable health care, which might also help to address indigenous health inequities [ 38 , 39 , 40 ]. Bruno [ 39 ] suggests that experiential learning is likely superior to cultural awareness training.…”

“…[ 37 , 38 ] Indigenous people need access to culturally informed and equitable health care, which might also help to address indigenous health inequities [ 38 , 39 , 40 ]. Bruno [ 39 ] suggests that experiential learning is likely superior to cultural awareness training. Moreover, as there are more than 650 recognized First Nations with diverse cultures, languages, and histories he recommends a community-based approach.…”

“‘Keep the Fire Burning’: Applications and Culturally Congruent Research Strategies for Research on Sexual and Reproductive Health With Indigenous Women”

“…With its focus on using everyday language and the ability of non-researchers to interpret findings, qualitative description is generally more accessible than many other forms of research and has been used to conduct research in several Indigenous contexts (Bruno et al, 2022;Oster et al, 2014Oster et al, , 2021Sandelowski, 2000;Sullivan-Bolyai et al, 2005). For example, Oster et al (2014) noted that qualitative description offers an important lens for non-Indigenous researchers because of the methodology's emphasis on low interpretation.…”