Barriers to Accessing Health Services in First Nations

• Main Author: Sample, DHRMC
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: unknown
• Published: UBC Journal of Family Practice Research and Scholarship 2015
• Subjects: First Nations
• Online Access: http://ojs.library.ubc.ca/index.php/familypractice/article/view/187269

What are the barriers in providing quality healthcare to first nations? Access to health services is the ability of individuals/groups to obtain the services they seek. As a determinant of health, access should be universal under the Canadian Health Care Act. Unfortunately, many factors, such as socio-economic status, geographical location, language, and culture differences, may prevent some First Nations to obtain such essential service. How can you explore some of the broad topics in the social determinants of health in First Nations? Can you think of any strategies/solutions for increasing access and removing barriers? Language barriers are common in many cultures, yet the unique histories, social circumstances of each First Nations groups may pose a tougher challenge as those cultural factors cannot be easily translated by an interpretation. What can a healthcare provider do to increase his/her cultural competency?