Grant: Travel Awards - Institute Community Support

This presentation will report the community engagement process, preliminary research findings and lessons learned from a unique research project that records the experiences of First Nations cancer patients residing in rural, remote and isolated Alberta, Canada. The over-arching intent of the project is improve the multi-jurisdictional cancer care pathway and to improve the continuity of care of First Nations cancer patients in a culturally responsive and safe manner. We aim to develop a cancer care strategy that both increases First Nation cancer patients' access to traditional First Nation healers and medicine people and that works towards moving these practices into the existing mainstream cancer care system. Our research objectives include: 1) Improve access to cancer care pathways by First Nations: from diagnosis through treatment of care, and until discharge; 2) Complete a current state and readiness assessment of the cancer care pathway needs of First Nations people in Alberta; 3) Increase the knowledge and awareness of the challenges and issues for First Nations cancer patients by the multi-jurisdictional health systems; 4) Engage key stakeholders for the purposes of gaining support for the objectives; and, 5) Garner support by First Nation communities and organizations in the design, development, and strategies, community needs, and project goals. The overall project is well-supported by First Nation leaders, First Nations communities and many community partners. We are at the midpoint of our data collection process using a number of data gathering methodologies that will culminate in rich quantitative and qualitative analyses.