Career Pathing Project Overview

 

Health disparities between Aboriginal people and other Canadians are still significant, persistent, and unacceptable. According to Romanow (2004), the disparities of life expectancy gap, prevalence of infectious diseases, accelerating chronic disease rates (especially diabetes), and escalating mental health trends (i.e., suicide, substance abuse) require immediate and innovative intervention. The importance of health human resource (HHR) planning as one such intervention is captured in the World Health OrganizationÕs (WHO) position that Òhuman resources, the different kinds of clinical and non-clinical staff who make each individual and public health intervention happen as the most important of the health systems inputs.Ó (WHO, 2002). The Government of Canada and other key stakeholders have embarked on a ten year agenda to transform Aboriginal health in Canada which includes an emphasis on the development of more Aboriginal health professionals to work in the both the mainstream health sector and for First Nation health organizations.

 

The literature that exists is largely concerned with program description and equity goals. Although equity is, in itself, an important goal, many believe that increased Aboriginal employment in the health professions will contribute to other goals such as better health outcomes for Aboriginal people or improvements to health care generally. These goals are even more rarely addressed in the literature.

 

Most literature suggests that availability of nurses and physicians impact on the health outcomes of clients (Atlantic Institute for Market Studies, 2002; Canadian Policy Research Network, 2002; Murphy, OÕBrien, Alksnis, Birch, Kephart, Pennock, Pringle, Rootman & Wang; Nursing Task Force, 1999). These reports consistently show that shortages or insufficient access to these groups result in poorer health outcomes for the public ranging from longer hospitalizations, increased chronicity rates, higher co-morbidity rates, and even higher mortality rates. There has been a commitment intersectorally to Òhelp Aboriginal communities and organizations to take on the responsibility of developing and implementing their own employment and human resources programsÓ (Government of Canada, 2003). HRDC (1999) acknowledged that Aboriginal human resources development (HRD) must be accompanied by a broad spectrum of community and economic development efforts and capacity building in leadership, governance, policy, and decision-making. Despite this recognition, there continues to be employment gaps between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal employees (First Nations Indian Health Branch (FNIHB), 2005; Saskatchewan Association of Health Organizations (SAHO), 2005), incongruencies in representativeness (SAHO, 2005), failed or stalled HHR strategies for inclusiveness (Atlantic Institute for Market Studies, 2002; FNIHB, 2005), and limited progress on uptake of cultural aspects of Aboriginal HHR planning (Government of Ontario, 2002). Concurrently, there continues to be limited understanding of the cultural competencies required within the health services provision system such that we can address health through appropriate HHR capacity.

 

This research project is designed to build the knowledge necessary to increase Aboriginal employment in the health professions thereby affecting the health outcomes of Aboriginal people. In light of the unacceptable disparities in the health status of Aboriginal peoples, it is imperative to examine the link between Aboriginal health outcomes and responsive, effective AHHR strategies. AHHR knowledge which exists in the heads of practitioners and is scattered throughout the grey literature has never been organized into a coherent theory to guide practice. It will generate new knowledge, as well as gather, organize, and test existing knowledge useful for guiding Aboriginal Health Human Resource (AHHR) practices. It is also a critical research direction - to potentially inform the AHHR strategies.

 

Our Team

 

The research team brings together community, academic, and decision makers applicants. The expertise ranges from administration, nursing, medicine, political science, public policy, human resources, education, and community health. We have included community applicants with expertise in health care delivery, Aboriginal HHR, mental health, and management of Aboriginal organizations. The teamÕs focus on capacity building will be furthered through the inclusion of training opportunities for undergraduate and doctoral students. Involvement of researchers from the communities will also contribute to this development.

 

Dr. Eber Hampton holds a PhD in administration, planning, and social policy and brings over 36 years of experience working with Aboriginal communities, organizations, and students. He has an extensive background health policy and management, Aboriginal organizational behavior, and capacity building. Dr. Pammla Petrucka is a professor and registered nurse who has over 5 years of research experience working with Aboriginal communities in Saskatchewan and globally. She shares with this team her background in community based and interprofessional research, including experience using sharing circles in Aboriginal community based research. Dr. Marlene Smadu, EdD brings an extensive involvement with government, education, policy and decision making and leadership to this project. She is currently the Associate Dean of Nursing at the University of Saskatchewan, president-elect of the Canadian Nurses Association, and serves on the Health Quality Council, the National Expert Committee on Interprofessional Education, as well as numerous other boards, committees, and associations. In addition, her national work on mentorship and provincial work with Aboriginal communities will be critical for the success of this project. Ms. Gaye Hansen is currently the senior researcher with the Indigenous Peoples Health Research Centre, president of the Aboriginal Nurses Association of Canada, and serves on numerous national and Aboriginal boards and committees. She brings expertise in Aboriginal consultation and facilitation, Aboriginal policy and leadership. Ms. Paulette Campbell brings knowledge and background of Aboriginal career development, facilitation, capacity development, and leadership. She shares with this team her knowledge of Aboriginal organizations, HHR needs (especially in terms of capacity development), and a vision for an improved AHHR environment. Dr. Ron Camp will provide expertise in the areas of management across cultures and interprofessional teamwork. Dr. Sandra Bassendowski is a professor and registered nurse with extensive experience working with Aboriginal communities in Saskatchewan. Her expertise in professional development, interprofessional education, continuing education, and training will be integral to the research project.