OBJECTIVE
To design a cultural competency framework and training program for health and social service care providers that will improve patient-physician interactions.
RESEARCH PROPOSAL
The objectives of this research project are to: 1) identify components of existing frameworks that might be suitable for a NWT cultural competency framework; 2) to measure the impact of frameworks on physician perception of patients; and, 3) to provide a foundation from which to begin design of a cultural competency framework and training program for health and social service care providers.
The participants will meet and be divided into three small groups, each of which will engage in orientation and training associated with a particular framework of cultural competency. Participants will then be encouraged to apply what they have learned during a seven-week period, after which they will gather with their small group and have a focus group discussion.
At the conclusion of the focus group discussions all participants will join in a large group discussion, during which focus group responses and cumulative data collected will be presented. Participants will be asked to categorize the data and provide recommendations based on the results. These recommendations will be reported to the project sponsor in an effort to inform further work toward the design and implementation of an NWT Health Care Provider Framework for Cultural Competency and associated training materials.
This project targets members of the NWT Medical Association, as participants. There are no anticipated opportunities for involvement of additional communities.
Results of the focus groups will be compiled and shared with the participants, individual results will be shared with individual participants. Data collected during focus groups will be reported back to the groups. A project report will be provided to each participant, the Department of Health and Social Services, and the NWT Medical Association.
The fieldwork for this study was conducted from January 24, 2016 to December 31, 2016.
