Host organization: Peterborough Regional Health Centre
Student: Tonya-Leah Watts (Indigenous Studies)
The project: In 2017, the Peterborough Regional Health Centre developed a Strategic Plan that involved providing a safe and positive experience to patients and families by providing culturally competent patient care through the collaboration with Indigenous communities.
Tonya-Leah Watts assisted the PRHC’s plan by researching and reviewing current health care policies and conducting interviews with community members. With what she learned Tonya-Leah was able to develop key messages on ways the PRHC can improve their patient care and form stronger bonds with the Indigenous communities, which were presented to stakeholders.
Research questions: What is the current state of the relationship between Indigenous communities and the Peterborough health care system and how can the PRHC strengthen this relationship with their Strategic Plan?
Methods: Tonya-Leah collected qualitative data from various sharing circles held in local Indigenous communities as well as from person-to-person interviews with participants. Surveys were also collected from both self-identified Indigenous persons as well as physicians in the local hospital.
By integrating all of this data, Tonya-Lee was able to identify the main topics of discussion made apparent via thematic analysis. This allowed her to determine which topics to further explore in the film produced and determined the best way to display these topics.
Results: Tonya-Leah’s research identified and allowed her to facilitate a number of key messages on behalf of the local Indigenous communities to the PRHC that will assist them in developing a stronger relationship with Indigenous populations. This will assist the PRHC in providing Indigenous persons with care that reflects their cultural needs.
Impacts: Tonya-Leah’s research is important and allows the PRHC to move into the next phase of their Strategic Plan in providing culturally competent patient care for Indigenous communities.
In March, Tonya-Leah's project won the Innovative Presentation: Oral Presentation Award at our Celebration of Community Research. Congratulations, Tonya-Leah!
