Engaging Physicians in Indigenous Cultural Safety (EPIC) Task Group

Purpose of this table: To prioritize and advance Indigenous Cultural Safety in Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) settings, guided by meaningful partnerships.


Activities: Three key strategies 

1. Educational resources

• UBC Continuing Professional Development accreditation for IHR (up to 6.0 Mainpro+ credits)
• Educational resources (i.e., infographic) from past Indigenous Health Round sessions
• Accessible repository of past IHR recordings
• ED-specific Indigenous Cultural Safety educational online course
   

2. An Indigenous Health patient experience think tank

• Listening and learning for change.

3. iCON-VCH Indigenous Health Rounds

• Bringing together Indigenous voices to health care professionals for knowledge sharing, dialogue and brainstorming solutions.
   

Feedback from participants

Indigenous Cultural Safety Activities

• Commissioned a totem pole that incorporated themes of unity, welcoming, healing and respect to guide delivery of health care.
• Participated in a ceremony and feast to raise totem pole with about 800 community members.
• Created a partnership agreement between the hospital and Haida community to define and consolidate a foundational relationship.
• Co-developed signage in key hospital areas in Haida language.
• Displayed indigenous artifacts displayed in welcoming areas.
• Held education sessions taught by Elders to increase language skills.

Results and insights

• Created a foundation on which to build culturally safe care.
• Recognized that everyone has prejudices and needs to be involved to create a path to safety and humility.
• Raised awareness of history and the need for more knowledge/understanding.

Initiatives for growing culturally safe care  

Activities to date

• Held a CME Accredited Interactive workshop and smaller follow-up event with Len Pierre.
• Created a sharing library of educational/informational resources.
• Established an MSA Indigenous Health Liaison position.

Results: Established ongoing plans

• Grow connections with the Indigenous community.
• Create opportunities for patients to engage in traditional medicines,
• Establish a healing garden near the physical rehabilitation unit,
• Encourage all MSA members to take the San-yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Online Training.