First Nations & Second Class Healthcare
It is often difficult for health care professionals to talk about racial inequalities in healthcare, especially when Canada’s universal healthcare system prides itself on social equality and social justice. I saw the proof of this when I started my research and discovered that there was very little literature for me to review on this topic. As Dr. Sheryl Nestel explains in her article Color Coded Health Care, part of the reason for this is that “unlike the United States, the care registry data in Canada does not record race or ethnicity statistics.”Luckily, we were given supplementary readings and a link to a CBC episode which covered this very topic. (Please see links to articles and audio below this blog post)
One of the most common stereotypes negatively impacting care of our indigenous population is that Natives are alcohol/drug abusers: Like the woman who was turned away twice from a Canadian hospital because her stroke symptoms were brushed off as signs of intoxication (with no supporting evidence), or the man who was not sedated during a major MI because the ER Dr. said “I didn’t know what he was on”(for the full story, follow the link below)
http://www.cbc.ca/player/Radio/White+Coat+Black+Art/ID/2410441295/
I am sure that I am not alone when I say that I have been personal witness to this type of ignorance in our health care system and it is no secret that our indigenous people are treated “differently” in our hospitals. So I find myself wondering, why do we tolerate this behaviour and what can we do about it? More specifically, what can we do as future registered nurses in Nova Scotia to create change?
Here are 4 things that I came up with:
- Be aware: Know the stereotypes and reflect on how you will deal with these situations in your career. How would you challenge a co-worker who was acting inappropriately?
- Be a patient advocate: Know that these stereotypes exist and advocate for equal treatment of all patients. Look for warning signs of inequity and intervene appropriately.
- Listen to your patients and earn their trust: Compassion and a non-discriminatory attitude are crucial. Remember that english may not be your patients first language. Give them time for interpretation of what you are saying to them.
- Be a Leader: Be a change maker in your workplace by demonstration equality for all patients regardless of their race, gender, or social status.
For more information on this topic please see the following link: http://wjn.sagepub.com/content/23/2/126
Two-Eyed Seeing for Health 