Grant: Project Grant

Dermatologic care for Indigenous populations is lacking at this time in Quebec. While many safe advanced treatments are available for debilitating skin diseases, these treatments are often not accessible in the northern isolated regions due to lack of established care. The proposed implementation science research project will be centered on meaningful engagement of patients, health care providers and wider communities, continuous monitoring/analysis and feedback based on collected data to the members of the team and to the Nunavik and Cree health boards/Elders overseeing the work with the goal of achieving the Quintuple Aim and health equity for the region. The proposed project will leverage the existing Réseau Universitaire Intégré de Santé et Services Sociaux (RUISSS) infrastructure to co-create a culturally sensitive and effective in-person care in 6 Cree/Nunavik communities and will 1) establish a Learning Healthcare System; 2) collect quantitative/qualitative data on skin diseases, barriers to care and treatments; 3) help recruit and support health practitioners in the region to foster a community of practice and promote a community of concern amongst patients through Patient and Public Involvement (PPI), knowledge mobilization, and educational activities. This work will encompass collaborations with several specialties involved in the treatment of skin diseases (rheumatology, allergology, infectious diseases, etc.) as well as epidemiology, biostatistics, social sciences within and/or beyond the formal dermatologic health care delivery system. The project will involve quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods in research to capture data and patient narratives that are important in Indigenous culture. The impact of the project will be a co-creation of a culturally sensitive sustainable dermatologic care in these regions. Our results will be shared with other specialties working in northern Quebec RUISSS and other Indigenous communities in Canada.