Sts’ailes primary healthcare project: Lessons from a participatory knowledge exchange project

Background: The purpose of the project is to produce a knowledge synthesis of Aboriginal community health centre models that respond to the needs of Sts’ailes and the Fraser Health Authority, including addiction and mental health issues. The knowledge synthesis will inform the development of a community health centre that facilitates access to and continuity of healthcare services to Sts’ailes community members and neighbouring Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities through the translation of Aboriginal health services knowledge into policy and practice.

Progress to date: The project receives oversight from the health improvement project planning committee that meets monthly and provides direction to the research team comprised of senior university research faculty, a university research associate, a community researcher and an Aboriginal student researcher. The research team has conducted an extensive literature review, analyzed data from interviews with community elders and traditional healers as well as youth and cultural committee focus groups. A final report is being prepared to summarize the new knowledge legacy created by the project, along with recommendations for knowledge transfer activities intended to facilitate the development of a healthcare centre that reflects the values and healthcare needs of the community. During the project, our Aboriginal student researcher completed her MPH degree at UBC, and our academic research associate has begun her PhD at UBC in the School of Population and Public Health and has recently received a 3-year CIHR doctoral award.

Researchers

  • J.F. Anderson (PI)