Health policies not culturally inclusive, UBC research finds – UBC

May 3, 2016

Aboriginal people feel isolated in many parts of Canada’s health care system, UBC research has found.

A study by researchers at UBC Okanagan shows that health standards and policies do not make room for aboriginal values and beliefs. Some of the identified standards include limited visiting hours, the number of people allowed to visit an ailing loved one at one time, and an inability to have indigenous holistic medicinal practices incorporated in their care.

“While standards and policies are often used to make sure people are treated equally, the research is telling us that aboriginal people may feel that those standards are based on a culture that isn’t theirs,” says Rachelle Hole, lead researcher and co-director of UBC’s Centre for Inclusion and Citizenship. “When we have a practice where we’re treating everyone the same, we’re actually not recognizing diversity or the need for cultural safety.”

The concept of cultural safety, adds Hole, originated with the Maori people of New Zealand and is based on a framework that takes into account a culture’s political status and historical experiences.

Read More: https://news.ok.ubc.ca/2016/05/03/health-policies-not-culturally-inclusive-ubc-research-finds/