Researchers sought to determine how to develop and implement culturally competent cancer survivorship care plans (SCPs) for indigenous people in remote communities. They describe their plans for research, provision, and evaluation of approaches considered for implementing SCPs in this population in Pilot and Feasibility Studies.
Previous studies have shown that cancer rates are increasing faster and related mortality is higher among indigenous (ie, First Nations, Inuit, and Metis) people compared with the overall population.
“The determinants of cancer mortality and the unique cancer burden faced by indigenous people in Canada have largely been attributed to the social determinants of indigenous health such as poverty, social exclusion, racism, discrimination, and lack of culturally responsive healthcare services and supports,” the researchers report.
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In rural and remote indigenous communities, nurses are often the only providers of healthcare services. Because most of these nurses have not received training in the provision of culturally safe care, it is likely that their ability to optimally implement cancer survivorship care is impeded.
This study was designed to determine the feasibility of using cancer survivorship strategies with indigenous people. More specifically, it was designed to address the following questions:
Question 1 What are the cancer survivorship strategies described in the research literature that have been utilized by indigenous people, and what are the characteristics of collaborative implementation partnerships with indigenous communities for implementing the strategies identified?
A mixed methods systematic review of published studies involving nurses and other healthcare providers will be used to identify studies on cancer survivorship strategies that have been implemented within indigenous people. These results will inform plans for building a framework that incorporates context and collaborative partnership for implementing cancer survivorship strategies.
Question 2 What are the barriers and facilitators to implementing cancer survivorship strategies that have been chosen and adapted for cultural safety with indigenous communities?
Qualitative interviews will be conducted with a convenience sampling of nurses, nurses’ aids, and other healthcare providers working with indigenous cancer survivors and their families.
