Enhancing radiation therapy student's cultural competency and safety of Canadian Indigenous populations using cultural immersion

Introduction

Indigenous peoples in Canada have a higher cancer burden and shorter life expectancy compared to the non-Indigenous population. Canada's colonial legacy has resulted in many Indigenous people experiencing high mistrust in healthcare providers which can result in healthcare avoidance, such as delays seeking preventative care as well as lower screening rates. This may be compounded by language barriers as well as a lack of culturally safe care in healthcare settings. Cultural competency and safety education, which can include cultural immersion methods, has been widely prioritized and implemented in health care and academic institutions. This manuscript reports the results of a pilot cultural immersion experience in an Indigenous community (Maskwacîs, Treaty 6 Territory) for University of Alberta Radiation Therapy Department radiation therapy students and clinical faculty.

Methods

This project used the Etuaptmumk or Two-Eyed Seeing approach as the research framework to tie Western methodologies with Indigenous knowledge. The cultural immersion day included a sweat lodge ceremony, a traditional lunch and a sharing circle. Following the event, two focus groups were conducted to gather participants’ perspectives. The discussions were transcribed and the data was analysed thematically.

Results

Seven senior radiation therapy students and five faculty members participated in the cultural immersion day. The majority of the feedback from the day was positive. The four main themes that emerged from the focus groups were; (1) enhanced cultural safety, (2) improved peer to peer and peer to educator relationships, (3) responsibility to social accountability, advocacy, and personal growth, and (4) facilitation of a bridge between Western and Indigenous views.

Conclusion

Support for Indigenous patients with cancer and caregivers is essential to improve care in the radiation therapy department. As this pilot project was a success, the cultural immersion day is now a component of the cultural competency and safety training for radiation therapy students at the University of Alberta. However, more opportunities are needed for staff to consistently facilitate and foster culturally safe care for Indigenous patients undergoing radiation therapy.