Providing culturally safe cancer survivorship care with Indigenous communities: study protocol for an integrated knowledge translation study

Abstract Background Cancer among Indigenous people is increasing faster than overall Canadian rates. Lack of survivorship support, including screening and follow-up for recurrences, contributes to poor health outcomes and low 5-year survival rates. Historical trauma from colonization and lack of cul...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Pilot and Feasibility Studies
Main Authors: Wendy Gifford, Roanne Thomas, Gwen Barton, Ian D. Graham
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: BMC 2019
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s40814-019-0422-9
https://doaj.org/article/80111923adeb4e30aa4903aa1aebff64
Description
Summary:Abstract Background Cancer among Indigenous people is increasing faster than overall Canadian rates. Lack of survivorship support, including screening and follow-up for recurrences, contributes to poor health outcomes and low 5-year survival rates. Historical trauma from colonization and lack of culturally safe and responsive healthcare has negatively affected Indigenous peoples’ access to survivorship supports. Nurses are typically the sole practitioners of health services in rural and remote Indigenous communities and can enhance the development, implementation, and delivery of culturally safe survivorship supports. However, the implementation of culturally safe healthcare in Indigenous communities is not well developed. This is the third study in a larger program of research with an overarching goal to improve healthcare delivery and outcomes with Indigenous people in Canada. In this study, we will field test nurses’ implementation of cancer survivorship care with Indigenous people in Ontario, Canada. Methods The study is a descriptive participatory mixed methods research design involving a systematic review, field testing implementation of cancer survivorship supports in two communities, focus groups, and qualitative interviews. Outcomes include feasibility of implementation, acceptability of the strategies, and perceived impact on healing and psychosocial support. Discussion Results will advance knowledge about implementing culturally safe cancer survivorship supports with Indigenous people in Ontario. A toolkit will be developed to inform nursing practices, programs, and policies to improve cancer survivorship supports and strategies with Indigenous people. Findings will inform a large-scale implementation study to reduce healthcare disadvantages and disparities within Indigenous communities across Canada.