DRUM & SASH

Development of a Rural Model for Integrated Shared Care in First Nation and Métis Communities in Northern Alberta and Saskatchewan

Due to the disproportionate burden of HIV, HCV and other sexually transmitted and blood borne infections (STBBI) in Indigenous communities, this research project aims to create shared care models (SCM) with communities. Shared care approaches to care use the skills and knowledge of a range of health professionals and community members who share joint responsibility in relation to an individual’s care.

This five-year project aims to respond to issues surrounding:
• the urgency of addressing the unmet health needs of First Nation and Métis people.
• the need to continue to work with communities to help expand the SCM lens from primarily an HIV focus to one that is in alignment with wholistic Indigenous wellness.
• the need to promote cultural relevance towards long term SCM sustainability.

DRUM & SASH has been funded to engage with the First Nations and Métis communities in Alberta and Saskatchewan. To date, we have been able to engage about six communities in Alberta and has developed a partnership in Saskatchewan with the predominantly Métis community of Île-à-la-Crosse.

Having First Nation and Métis communities involved with DRUM & SASH will realize synergies between Dr. Alexandra King’s clinical practice (HIV/HCV/STBBI care) and her research interests regarding providing optimal care cascades in rural/remote communities.

A community research associate (CRA) from the community has been hired to work with the research team. The community will be relied on to identify an Elder to guide the work. That worker will then use the Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network Community Readiness Assessment tool that will be adapted by the community and provide the resources that the community will need in facilitating the project.

For more information, contact: pewaseskwan@usask.ca