The experiences of Indigenous people in health care encounters in Western settings and contexts: A systematic review of qualitative evidence.

Abstract

Review question/objective The objective of this review is to analyse and synthesise the best available evidence on the experiences of Indigenous people who engage in health care encounters in Western settings and contexts. The review question is: What are the experiences of Indigenous people engaged in health care encounters in Western settings and contexts? Inclusion Criteria Types of Participants Studies including two groups of participants, regardless of age or gender, will be considered for this systematic review. The first group is persons of Indigenous descent from the following countries and continents appearing most frequently in the literature: North America, South America, New Zealand, Australia, and Scandinavian countries. These countries include peoples such as First Nations, Native Americans, Metis, Inuit, North American Indians, South American Indians, Inca, Maori, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of Australia, and Sapmi. This list is not exhaustive, and any Indigenous population identified in a study will be included. Indigenous populations who immigrate to new countries will be excluded, given that immigrant status can confound Indigenous status. The second group of participants to be considered for inclusion is health care providers who work in Western settings and context, including, but not limited to, nurses, physicians, nutritionists, midwives, social workers, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, and respirologists. Phenomena of Interest The phenomenon of interest is the experience of Indigenous people in health care encounters in Western health care settings and context. Health care encounters refer to any interactions between an Indigenous person and a health care provider within the scope of Western health care services. All reasons for health encounters will be considered. Context The context will be Indigenous persons seeking health care services in Western settings and context. These services may be located within urban, rural, or remote health care settings where Western health care services are delivered.