Grant: Project Grant

Indigenous Peoples in Canada experience more arthritis than other people. Arthritis can cause pain, difficulty moving, and disability. Joint replacement research is typically not grounded in Indigenous methods or values that honour culturally safe care. Involving patients in research improves care. This study will combine health data with lived experience from First Nations patients to understand how to improve care for these patients. We will interview 30 First Nations patients to share their experience from joint pain to joint replacement and use Indigenous research methods to analyse these interviews. We will further look at health data to see how pain and joint replacement differs between First Nations patients and others patients. We will use a consensus-building process to identify the main barriers and assess what can be done to remove these barriers. This study will fill gaps in evidence to allow for better and culturally safe joint care for First Nations patients in Manitoba. This will help us inform the best way to provide care to Indigenous Peoples by centering nation-specific perspectives, worldviews, and values. It does so, by the inclusion of First Nations research and the application of Indigenous research methods. It aligns with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action, especially Call to Action 19 about closing health outcome gaps between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Peoples. This study can serve as a foundation for similar initiatives across Canada.