Abstract
Objective: To explore the experiences and perceptions of providing and receiving naturopathic care within the Aboriginal community served by community health centre Anishnawbe Health Toronto.
Methods: This is an exploratory study using a descriptive qualitative approach to enable better understanding of the care provided to Aboriginal patients by naturopathic interns and clinician supervisors at Anishnawbe Health Toronto (AHT). We conducted semi-structured interviews with 3 naturopathic supervisors, 7 naturopathic interns, and 7 Aboriginal patients to gain an in-depth understanding of participants’ experiences and perceptions of naturopathic medicine at AHT. We also conducted 3 confirmatory interviews with Naturopathic Doctors practicing in other Aboriginal communities.
Results: Naturopathic medicine is perceived to fit with health care philosophies in Aboriginal communities, as it emphasizes spiritual, mental and emotional aspects of health. Specifically, strengths of naturopathic medicine within the Aboriginal community relate to the philosophical suitability of naturopathic medicine, the ability to meet a wide range of health needs, the lack of power imbalance in the patient–practitioner relationship, and the cultural sensitivity of the practitioners. While AHT is highly regarded by patients and practitioners, certain limitations at the local setting regarding privacy and inter-professional communication were evident. Further, to facilitate trust, naturopathic interns require enhanced training in specific health issues that face the Aboriginal population to allow them to better engage with the culture and practices of the Aboriginal community.
Conclusion: The naturopathic clinic at AHT contributes to positive patient outcomes and satisfaction and helps address unmet health needs in this population. Naturopathic medicine may be well suited to address Aboriginal health care needs through its holistic and respectful approach to care and a foundation of traditional knowledge and research evidence for treatment of a person’s mind, body and spirit.
Key words: Naturopathy, Aboriginal health, First Nations health, community health centres, indigenous health services, complementary and alternative medicine
Résumé
Objectif: Étudier les expériences et les perceptions de la prestation et de la réception de soins naturopathiques dans la communauté autochtone servie par le centre de santé communautaire Anishnawbe Health Toronto (AHT).
Méthode: Cette étude préliminaire emploie une approche qualitative descriptive pour mieux comprendre les soins offerts aux patients autochtones par les résidents en naturopathie et leurs cliniciens superviseurs au centre AHT. Nous avons mené des entretiens semi-dirigés avec 3 superviseurs, 7 résidents et 7 patients autochtones, qui nous ont décrit de manière approfondie leurs expériences et leurs perceptions des soins naturopathiques au centre AHT. Nous avons aussi mené 3 entretiens confirmatoires avec des médecins naturopathes exerçant dans d’autres communautés autochtones.
Résultats: La naturopathie est perçue comme étant compatible avec la philosophie des soins de santé des communautés autochtones, car elle englobe les aspects spirituel, mental et émotionnel de la santé. En particulier, les forces de la naturopathie selon la communauté autochtone sont sa pertinence philosophique, sa capacité de répondre à un vaste éventail de besoins de santé, l’absence de déséquilibre dans la relation patient-praticien et la sensibilité des praticiens aux différences culturelles. Le centre AHT jouit d’une excellente réputation auprès des patients et des praticiens, malgré certaines contraintes manifestes, sur les lieux, au regard de la protection des renseignements personnels et des communications interprofessionnelles. Pour instaurer la confiance, les résidents en naturopathie doivent suivre une formation spécialisée en santé autochtone pour mieux composer avec la culture et les usages de la communauté autochtone.
Conclusion: Le centre AHT procure des résultats positifs et satisfaisants aux patients et contribue à combler les besoins de santé de cette population. La naturopathie semble bien adaptée aux besoins de santé des Autochtones en raison de son approche de soins à la fois holistique et respectueuse et parce qu’elle fait appel au savoir traditionnel et aux données de recherche pour traiter les dimensions physiques, mentales et spirituelles de la personne.
Mots clés: naturopathie, santé autochtone, santé des Premières nations, centres de santé communautaires, services de santé indigènes, médecines parallèles
Footnotes
Funding: First Nations and Inuit Health Branch of Health Canada
Conflict of Interest: During this research, three of the authors were employed in the research department by the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM) and are NDs themselves (this research was in Naturopathic Medicine). The additional author (LW) was included on the study not only for her expertise in qualitative research but also as a third party for her objectivity in the subject.
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