Authors:Randy Battochio, Malorie Leduc, Natasha Mayer, Andrea Dokis, Charlene Restoule, Paige Restoule Abstract: Canada’s history of European colonization-imposed measures on the Indigenous peoples of Canada has created considerable discrepancies in this population’s health and wellness. Community leaders in Dokis First Nation and College Boreal researchers explored the use of wearable digital health technology during harvesting activities. Fitbit watches were worn by community members during traditional activities, introducing 2 null hypotheses: a) the canoe trip does not increase physical activity, b) the hide preparation activity does not increase physical activity. Each activity included 6 participants from Dokis First Nation and, based on the results, the canoe trip significantly increased their physical activity levels while the hide preparation did not increase their physical activity levels significantly. The study can also be used as an example of how Canadian Colleges and its researchers can be mobilized on behalf of First Nation leaders assisting their communities and its membership. PubDate: 2022-04-25 Issue No:Vol. 5, No. 1 (2022)
Authors:Bruce Oddson, Jessica Gardiner, Josee Turcotte Abstract: Real-world food label reading is examined in two laboratory tasks to evaluate the role of cognitive factors in peoples’ willingness and ability to follow therapeutic diets. Participants were asked to repeatedly make decisions about the safety of foods that did or did not contain specified allergen targets; each of 30 foods were presented 15 times in randomized and intermixed orders. At each presentation the safety judgement could be made with or without consulting the food ingredient label. The results imply limitations to reading accuracy, learning, and judgements about that learning. Most participants became less likely to read ingredient lists over time, suggesting that decisions to read is driven by cost-benefit. The findings suggest that despite the improvements to food label formats, people probably choose not to read them as often as they should and will miss seeing target ingredients when they do. PubDate: 2022-04-25 Issue No:Vol. 5, No. 1 (2022)
Authors:Phyllis Montgomery, Sharolyn Mossey, Mary Edgan, Darren Jermyn, Sue Verrilli Abstract: Background. Over half of individuals who survive a stroke experience chronic impairment. Accessing comprehensive health services optimizes community reintegration following hospital discharge. Community-based care over vast regions with low service providers to resident ratios, however, can be challenging. Little is know about perceived priorities for quality community reintegration supports essential in northern, rural, and small urban contexts. Purpose. The aim of the study was to describe priority supports for community reintegration from the perspective of both stroke survivors’ and multidisciplinary healthcare providers’ residing in Northeast Ontario. Methods. Q methodology was used to systematically elicit the viewpoints of 91 participants through the independent sorting of decks of theoretical statement cards, each delineating one of 30 evidence-informed post-stroke community reintegration supports. A mix of quantitative and interpretative qualitative analysis were used to ascertain perceptions of discrete priority supports from the perspective of the two groups of participants. Findings. Stroke survivors identified three priority supports for community reintegration including having a skilled provider, action-orientated alliances, and a focus on wellness. Healthcare providers, including Registered Nurses, Occupational Therapists, and Physiotherapists, perceived tailored resources, person-centeredness, and promotion of wellbeing, as best enabling community reintegration. Although discrete, all six identified priorities contribute to the constellation of evidence-informed community reintegration supports necessary within the regional stroke network in Northeast Ontario. Implications. Clear, open communication about perceived priorities for community reintegration among stroke survivors and healthcare providers is critical to developing a shared understanding of individualized services following stroke. Collectively, guidance by a skilled provider, patient autonomy, and life enjoyment are essential priorities within coordinated stoke service to achieve the ultimate outcome of community reintegration. PubDate: 2022-04-25 Issue No:Vol. 5, No. 1 (2022)
Authors:Sarah Le Roux B.H.Sc; B.Sc.N, RN, Rachelle Breen, B.H.Sc, B.Sc.N, CIC, RN, Joanne Carbonneau RN B.Sc.N, M.Ed. Abstract: Undergraduate nursing programs are moving towards a service learning model in teaching nursing student cultural awareness. In this article, we discuss the nursing student experience in a university elective which immerses students in rural and remote Indigenous communities resulting in cultural consciousness. This service learning experience that students encountered promoted growth in nursing praxis, and fostered positive curriculum growth and community partnerships between the College and the Indigenous communities in which they visited. Students gained cultural consciousness and increased awareness, which is beneficial in their future nursing careers as they grow into better culturally competent care providers. Also discussed is the history and background of these Indigenous communities, The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) and the First Nations Principles of OCAP (ownership, control, access and possession). These topics are discussed in detail throughout the student experience as they respond to nurses’ professional standards, development of cultural competency and integrating calls to action in truth and reconciliation. PubDate: 2022-01-04 DOI: 10.28984/drhj.v5i2.344 Issue No:Vol. 5, No. 1 (2022)
Authors:Patrick Timony; MA, PhD (c), Alain Gauthier, PhD, Elizabeth Wenghofer, PhD, Amelie Hien, PhD Abstract: Communication is essential to providing quality primary care. Linguistic concordance between patients and physicians has been linked to improved health outcomes and greater patient satisfaction. Although Canadian Francophones often struggle to access linguistics concordant health services, the concept of the active offer of French Language Services (FLS) has emerged as a means of ensuring the availability of such services and improving the francophone patient experience. However, the impact of language concordance and the active offer of FLS on patient satisfaction among Ontario Francophones remain largely unknown. Patient satisfaction surveys were collected as part of a continuing education program targeted at family physicians in Northeastern Ontario. Participating physicians distributed patient surveys consisting of select patient satisfaction questions from the Physicians Achievement Review (PAR) and select questions from the Active Offer of French Language Services in Minority Context Measure. Valid surveys were received from 235 patients. Just under half of these (44%) identified as Francophones, 62.6% had a French-speaking family physician; however, only 17.2% reported regularly speaking in French with their family physician. As hypothesized, there was a consistent tendency for Francophones who experience stronger linguistic concordance with their family physician to report higher satisfaction scores. Francophones who regularly speak French with their family physicians were more satisfied ( = 4.63) than those who rarely/never speak French ( = 4.29, F(1; 83) = 4.852; p < 0.05). There was also a statistically significant interaction between the patients' language of preference and the service language. Francophones who prefer French and regularly speak it with their family physician (linguistic concordance; adj= 4.82) were significantly more satisfied than those who prefer French yet rarely/never speak it (linguistic discordance; adj= 4.06, F(1; 75) = 11.950; p < 0.001). Furthermore, a positive correlation between patient satisfaction and the active offer was observed in Francophones (r = 0.49, p<0.001). The present findings provide evidence of the impact of linguistically adapted health care services on the satisfaction of Ontario Francophones and suggest that patient satisfaction may be improved through the active offer of FLS. A larger and more diverse sample is required to confirm these findings. PubDate: 2022-01-04 DOI: 10.28984/drhj.v5i2.359 Issue No:Vol. 5, No. 1 (2022)
Authors:Line Tremblay, Michelle Brunette Abstract: Research suggests that mental health problems that were on the rise prior to the pandemic in the post-secondary education sector have worsened. The rise of mental health problems on university campuses poses significant challenges because of the links between mental health and academic success, perseverance, and obtaining a university degree. This article has two objectives. The first is to present an update on mental health on university campuses, including prevalence rates, risk factors and the impact on academic performance. The second objective is to present strategies to address the challenges posed by mental health through examples and programs. The conclusion underscores the importance of governments investing in programs and resources to address this issue. PubDate: 2021-11-08 DOI: 10.28984/drhj.v5i2.351 Issue No:Vol. 5, No. 2 (2021)