Abstract

The integration of primary oral health care has a pivotal role in improving oral health outcomes and providing accessible and affordable health care. This article contributes to the deep understanding of the cultural aspects of the integration of oral health into primary health care at an Indigenous health organization. Proceeding from a collaborative and interdisciplinary research project evaluating the integration of oral health care within primary care in Eeyou Istchee, this research is based on group discussions (6) and individual interviews (36) with 74 participants (care providers, administrators, and patients) held in four Eastern James Bay Cree communities. This study anthropologically explored participants' perceptions about primary health care conceptualizations, culturally based approaches, and experiences of oral care services at this organization using a "two-eyed seeing" Indigenous framework. The study identified three key factors related to the integration of primary oral health care: Cree perception of primary health and oral health care, cultural safety, and health provider-patient communication and the role of silence. Study findings reflected a dichotomy of perception of primary health care and the relevant units of care between the Cree structural and cultural perspective and the non-Cree professional perspective. The Cree people perceived "household" as a unit of care in comparison to non-Cree who viewed "health care services" as units of care. Our results also underline the role of cultural safety agents to address the needs for cultural competence and the role of silence as implicit cultural protocol. Our anthropological analysis illustrates the potential for increasing the level of appreciation for both users and workers in oral care in the future by ameliorating communication skills and intercultural knowledge.

Highlights

  • Primary health care (PHC) has been reported as an effective strategy in reducing health inequalities as well as in meeting the needs of the population [1]

  • This study demonstrates three key factors associated with integration of primary oral health care at CBHSSJB: Cree perception of primary health and oral health care, cultural safety, and health provider–patient communication and the role of silence

  • PHC is defined as the provision of integrated, accessible health care services by clinicians who are accountable for addressing a large majority of personal health care needs, developing a sustained partnership with patients, and practicing in the context of family and community [26]

Read more

Summary

Introduction

Primary health care (PHC) has been reported as an effective strategy in reducing health inequalities as well as in meeting the needs of the population [1]. Within the concept of Primary health care (PHC), the Common Risk Factor Approach has been adopted by the World Health Organization as a health promotion and prevention strategy [2]. Updated with social determinants in 2012, the Common Risk Factor Approach emphasizes equitable and optimal health care that can be achieved by focusing on broader social and environmental factors including the cultural background of communities and organizations [2]. Anthropological approaches contribute to Primary health care (PHC) by emphasizing the dynamic efficiency of both cultural and structural aspects of a health care organization [3]. Miyupimaatisiiun considers physical health and psychological, social, and political well-being and recognizes health within the context of land and identity. Miyupimaatisiiun embodies the Cree traditional ways of life as part of the Cree identity [4]

Methods
Findings
Discussion
Conclusion
Full Text
Published version (Free)

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call