Patient transportation in Canada’s northern territories: patterns, costs and providers’ perspectives

Young, T. Kue; Tabish, Taha; Young, Stephanie K.; Healey, Gwen

doi:10.22605/rrh5113

Cited by 11 publications

(7 citation statements)

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“…Our findings are consistent with recent qualitative research that highlights the importance of effective communication, cultural awareness, and strong relationships between service providers and the communities they serve [18,19]. Unlike southern Canadians, the care experiences of northerners are overwhelmingly characterised by medical travel.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

“…5 A Continuing Care Needs Assessment conducted in 2015 identified home and community care and palliative care as priorities for continued investment [40]. This aligns with national efforts towards systems-based improvements in cancer and end of life care [19,[41][42][43]. In its Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control, the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer lists as priority number one: "culturally appropriate care closer to home" (p. 7) within its section on care relevant to First Nations, Inuit and Métis people [44].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 98%

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Perspectives of Nunavut patients and families on their cancer and end of life care experiences

Galloway

Horlick

Cherba

et al. 2020

International Journal of Circumpolar Health

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The present study arose from a recognition among service providers that Nunavut patients and families could be better supported during their care journeys by improved understanding of people's experiences of the health-care system. Using a summative approach to content analysis informed by the Piliriqatigiinniq Model for Community Health Research, we conducted in-depth interviews with 10 patients and family members living in Nunavut communities who experienced cancer or end of life care. Results included the following themes: difficulties associated with extensive medical travel; preference for care within the community and for family involvement in care; challenges with communication; challenges with culturally appropriate care; and the value of service providers with strong ties to the community. These themes emphasise the importance of health service capacity building in Nunavut with emphasis on Inuit language and cultural knowledge. They also underscore efforts to improve the quality and consistency of communication among health service providers working in both community and southern referral settings and between service providers and the patients and families they serve.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 98%

Perspectives of Nunavut patients and families on their cancer and end of life care experiences

Galloway

Horlick

Cherba

et al. 2020

International Journal of Circumpolar Health

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“…Our analysis provides further evidence that medical transportation is a major factor in patient experience of healthcare in the North [ 8 , 11 , 35 ]. Nearly half of all patient cases included concerns about the medical travel for patients from northern communities.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 78%

Patient healthcare experiences in the Northwest Territories, Canada: an analysis of news media articles

Cooper

Pollock

Affleck

et al. 2021

International Journal of Circumpolar Health

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The factors that influence patient healthcare experiences are complex and connected to place. In northern Canada, the socio-historical context and the inequitable distribution of health services are unique influences on patients. The objective of this study was to examine the characteristics of patient healthcare experiences as reported through news media in the Northwest Territories. We used a case series design to examine patient healthcare experiences reported in news media articles. We conducted a systematic search for articles published between 2008 and 2017 in the online database of a media outlet in the Northwest Territories. We used descriptive statistics to summarise the article characteristics and thematic analysis to understand patient experiences in 128 articles related to 71 cases. Most often, cases involved women, concerned mental health, suicidality, or chronic diseases, and were predominantly negative. Patient experiences included problems associated with medical travel, communication difficulties with providers, lack of cultural safety, and barriers in accessing care resulting in poor-quality care, particularly for Indigenous patients. Broadly, these experiences are rooted in the colonial history in the North. Understanding patient experiences and including Indigenous patients in health system decision-making can help focus policies and clinical care on cultural safety and equity.

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“… 30 When a patient requires transport to a larger centre there are many factors that influence the transportation process. 38 39 Patient transport issues were a unique theme in the rural to urban consultation process. Rural physicians not only weighed the physiological risks of travel, but also the hidden costs of removing patients from their community of support, as well as a financial burden to the patient.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rural family physician perspectives on communication with urban specialists: a qualitative study

et al. 2021

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ObjectiveCommunication is a key competency for medical education and comprehensive patient care. In rural environments, communication between rural family physicians and urban specialists is an essential pathway for clinical decision making. The aim of this study was to explore rural physicians’ perspectives on communication with urban specialists during consultations and referrals.SettingNewfoundland and Labrador, Canada.ParticipantsThis qualitative study involved semistructured, one-on-one interviews with rural family physicians (n=11) with varied career stages, geographical regions, and community sizes.ResultsFour themes specific to communication in rural practice were identified. The themes included: (1) understanding the contexts of rural care; (2) geographical isolation and patient transfer; and (3) respectful discourse; and (4) overcoming communication challenges in referrals and consultations.ConclusionsCommunication between rural family physicians and urban specialists is a critical task in providing care for rural patients. Rural physicians see value in conveying unique aspects of rural clinical practice during communication with urban specialists, including context and the complexities of patient transfers.

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Patient transportation in Canada’s northern territories: patterns, costs and providers’ perspectives

Cited by 11 publications

References 0 publications

Perspectives of Nunavut patients and families on their cancer and end of life care experiences

Perspectives of Nunavut patients and families on their cancer and end of life care experiences

Patient healthcare experiences in the Northwest Territories, Canada: an analysis of news media articles

Rural family physician perspectives on communication with urban specialists: a qualitative study

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