Grant: Travel Awards - Institute Community Support

In about 30 remote Ontario First Nations communities, there are no local paramedical services-ill or injured patients are transported to local nursing stations by friends, family, or volunteer first response teams. Hospital services are accessible only by air. We developed and evaluated a Community-Based Emergency Care (CBEC) program in Sachigo Lake First Nation. CBEC teaches lay bystanders to deliver essential healthcare interventions to ill or injured patients. This creates a community response to health crises. Following local consultations, we developed a custom first aid curriculum, addressing medical, trauma, and mental health emergencies. Over a two-year period, a group of physicians, paramedics, medical learners, and researchers delivered two intensive emergency care courses to approximately 5% of residents. The program was evaluated in partnership with the community, using interviews and focus groups with participants and stakeholders. First Nations leaders, government representatives, researchers, and clinicians participated in a strategic roundtable to develop CBEC programs and plan for regional program expansion. Community members showed that training improved personal confidence, increased willingness to provide first aid, and enhanced community resilience. Community leaders and political representatives supported the community-based process, and identified that local emergencies were managed more effectively following the course. The regional roundtable set the stage to expand CBEC programs to other communities. CBEC can improve emergency care for remote populations, link first aid with professional healthcare services, and enhance community resilience. CBEC may provide a model for timely first response in remote and underserviced communities in Ontario and abroad.