“I would prefer to have my health care provided over a cup of tea any day”: recommendations by urban Métis women to improve access to health and social services in Toronto for the Métis community

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 217-225 ◽  
Author(s):  
Renée Monchalin ◽  
Janet Smylie ◽  
Cheryllee Bourgeois ◽  
Michelle Firestone
Keyword(s):  
Social Services ◽  
Interior Design ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Health And Social Services ◽  
Culturally Informed ◽  
Access To Health ◽  
Positive Experiences ◽  
Front Desk ◽  
Improve Access ◽  
Practical Recommendations

This article reports on recommendations made by urban Métis women for improving access to health and social services in Toronto, Canada. By applying a conversational method, this research followed up with a subgroup of urban Métis women who participated in the Our Health Counts Toronto longitudinal cohort. Métis women ( n = 11) provided holistic and practical recommendations for improving access to health and social services. These recommendations include (a) Métis presence, (b) holistic interior design, (c) Métis specific or informed service space, (d) welcoming reception/front desk, and (e) culturally informed service providers. During the conversations, the women shared positive experiences with an Indigenous-informed midwifery practice called Seventh Generation Midwives Toronto. Examples from the women will be provided of Seventh Generation Midwives Toronto to illustrate how the recommendations may look in practice. This research illustrates that Métis women hold solutions for improving access to health and social services for the Métis community.

Improving access to refugee-focused health services for people from refugee-like backgrounds in south-eastern Melbourne through the education sector

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 93
Author(s):  
Katrina M. Long ◽  
Shiva Vasi ◽  
Susannah Westbury ◽  
Sandy Shergill ◽  
Chloé Guilbert-Savary ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Services ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Education Sector ◽  
Access To Health Services ◽  
Health And Social Services ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Access To Health ◽  
Service Referral ◽  
Improve Access

People from refugee-like backgrounds living in Australia face substantial health challenges that benefit from access to health and social services. Many people from refugee-like backgrounds have frequent contact with education sector staff, who have the potential to act as conduits to health and social services. The aim of this project was to improve access to refugee-focused health services for people from refugee-like backgrounds in south-eastern Melbourne by codesigning and delivering a 1-day education forum to education sector staff. Evaluation of the forum used mixed-methods analysis of data from pre-post and follow-up surveys (n=11; administered before, immediately after and 1 month after the forum respectively), post-forum interviews (n=4) and one school’s referral records. The forum improved attendees’ refugee-focused health service referral knowledge, confidence and behaviour. This was supported by the qualitative findings of high staff motivation, high forum satisfaction and evidence of outcome sustainability. Education staff are an important complement to an integrated model of health care for recently resettled people from refugee-like backgrounds. These results show that a straightforward local intervention can improve the ability of education staff to act as conduits to health services, increasing access to health services for people from refugee-like backgrounds.

Depression in the Developing World

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harry Minas
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
International Development ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Development Programs ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Health And Social Services ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Culturally Informed ◽  
Global Understanding

This chapter provides an overview of what is known about prevalence, social determinants, treatment, and course and impact of depression in developing, or low- and middle-income, countries. The importance of culture in depression and in the construction and application of diagnostic classifications and in health and social services is highlighted, with a particular focus on the applicability of ‘Western’ diagnostic constructs and service systems in developing country settings. The role of international organizations, such as WHO, and international development programs, such as the SDGs, in improving our understanding of depression and in developing effective and culturally appropriate responses is briefly examined. There is both a need and increasing opportunities in developing countries for greater commitment to mental health of populations, increased investment in mental health and social services, and culturally informed research that will contribute to improved global understanding of mental disorders in general and depression in particular.

scholarly journals “It’s not like I’m more Indigenous there and I’m less Indigenous here.”: urban Métis women’s identity and access to health and social services in Toronto, Canada

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 323-331
Author(s):  
Renée Monchalin ◽  
Janet Smylie ◽  
Cheryllee Bourgeois
Keyword(s):  
Health Service ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Survival Strategies ◽  
Health And Social Services ◽  
Women's Identity ◽  
Access To Health ◽  
Learning Journey ◽  
One Step ◽  
Service Gap

Colonial policies and identity debates have resulted in major gaps in access to culturally safe health and social services for Métis Peoples living in Canada. To address the Métis health service gap, this qualitative study explores urban Métis women’s identity and their experiences with health and social services in Toronto, Canada. Métis women ( n = 11) understand Métis identity as having connection to community, intergenerational identity survival strategies, a learning journey, and connection to land. Building Métis community determined understandings of Métis identity into urban health and social services may be one step toward addressing existing culturally safe health service gaps.

scholarly journals Access to and Use of Health and Social Services among People who Inject Drugs in two urban areas of Mozambique, 2014: Qualitative Results from a Formative Assessment

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liliana Candida Dengo-Baloi ◽  
Makini Aida Boothe ◽  
Cynthia Amino Semá-Baltazar ◽  
Isabel Sathane ◽  
Denise Chitsondzo Langa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Formative Assessment ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Risk Behaviors ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
People Who Inject Drugs ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Psychiatric Treatment ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Hot Spot ◽  
Health And Social Services

Abstract Background: Prior to 2014, data about health seeking behaviors or service uptake for People who inject drugs (PWID) in Mozambique did not exist. We present the results from the formative assessment component of the Biological and Behavioral Survey (BBS). Methods: Standardized interview guides were used during key informant interviews (KII) and focus group discussions (FGD) in Maputo and Nampula/Nacala to discuss issues related to risk behaviors and access to and utilization of health and social services by PWID. The target sample size was not defined a priori, but instead KII and FGD were conducted until responses reached saturation. Data analysis was based on the principles of grounded theory related to qualitative research. Results: Eighty-eight respondents, ages 15 to 60, participated in KIIs and FGDs. Participants were majority male from diverse income and education levels and included current and former PWID, non-injection drug users, health and social service providers, peer educators, and community health workers. Respondents reported that PWID engage in high-risk behaviors such as needle and syringe sharing, exchange of sex for drugs or money, and low condom use. According to participants, PWID would rather rent, share or borrow injection equipment at shooting galleries than purchase them due to stigma, fear of criminalization, transportation and purchase costs, restricted pharmacy hours, personal preference for needle sharing, and immediacy of drug need. Barriers to access and utilization of health and social services include distance, requirements to represent identification documents and fear of criminalization, the limited availability of programs for PWID, lack of knowledge of the few programs that exist, concerns about the quality of care provided by health providers, lack of readiness as a result of addiction and perceived stigma related to the use of mental health services offering treatment to PWID. Conclusions: Mozambique urgently needs to establish specialized harm reduction programs for PWID and improve awareness of available resources. Services should be located in hot spot areas to address issues related to distance, transportation and the planning required for safe injection. Specific attention should go to the creation of PWID-focused health and social services outside of state-sponsored psychiatric treatment centers.

scholarly journals Access to and Use of Health and Social Services among People who Inject Drugs in two urban areas of Mozambique, 2014: Qualitative Results from a Formative Assessment

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liliana Candida Dengo-Baloi ◽  
Makini Aida Boothe ◽  
Cynthia Amino Semá-Baltazar ◽  
Isabel Sathane ◽  
Denise Chitsondzo Langa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Formative Assessment ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Risk Behaviors ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
People Who Inject Drugs ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Psychiatric Treatment ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Hot Spot ◽  
Health And Social Services

Abstract Background: Prior to 2014, data about health seeking behaviors or service uptake for People who inject drugs (PWID) in Mozambique did not exist. We present the results from the formative assessment component of the Biological and Behavioral Survey (BBS). Methods: Standardized interview guides were used during key informant interviews (KII) and focus group discussions (FGD) in Maputo and Nampula/Nacala to discuss issues related to risk behaviors and access to and utilization of health and social services by PWID. The target sample size was not defined a priori, but instead KII and FGD were conducted until responses reached saturation. Data analysis was based on the principles of grounded theory related to qualitative research. Results: Eighty-eight respondents, ages 15 to 60, participated in KIIs and FGDs. Participants were majority male from diverse income and education levels and included current and former PWID, non-injection drug users, health and social service providers, peer educators, and community health workers. Respondents reported that PWID engage in high-risk behaviors such as needle and syringe sharing, exchange of sex for drugs or money, and low condom use. According to participants, PWID would rather rent, share or borrow injection equipment at shooting galleries than purchase them due to stigma, fear of criminalization, transportation and purchase costs, restricted pharmacy hours, personal preference for needle sharing, and immediacy of drug need. Barriers to access and utilization of health and social services include distance, requirements to represent identification documents and fear of criminalization, the limited availability of programs for PWID, lack of knowledge of the few programs that exist, concerns about the quality of care provided by health providers, lack of readiness as a result of addiction and perceived stigma related to the use of mental health services offering treatment to PWID. Conclusions: Mozambique urgently needs to establish specialized harm reduction programs for PWID and improve awareness of available resources. Services should be located in hot spot areas to address issues related to distance, transportation and the planning required for safe injection. Specific attention should go to the creation of PWID-focused health and social services outside of state-sponsored psychiatric treatment centers.

scholarly journals On the move: Exploring health service providers’ perspectives about family participation in care in Nunavik, a qualitative study.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Louise Fraser ◽  
Louise Moulin ◽  
Dominique Gaulin ◽  
Jennifer Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Health Service ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Police Officers ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Health Service Provider ◽  
Indigenous Youth ◽  
Health And Social Services ◽  
Health Service Providers ◽  
Historical Factors

Abstract BackgroundLiterature on participation in health and social services suggests that youth are difficult to engage within health and social services. Indigenous youth are less likely to access services or to actively participate in decision-making regarding their personal care. This article analyzes health and social service providers’ perspectives, experiences and expectations regarding the roles of a particular group of Indigenous youth, families and community in care settings in Nunavik, Quebec.MethodsA snowball sampling method was used to recruit participants. A total of 58 participants were interviewed including psychiatrists, general practitioners, nurses, social workers, school principals, teachers, student counsellors, representatives of local committees (education committee, health committee), and police officers. Of the 58 participants, 39 were non-Inuit and 19 were Inuit. The interviews focused on three broad themes: 1) participants’ current and past positions/roles; 2) participants’ perceptions of the clientele (youth and their families) they work with; and 3) participants’ understanding of collaborations taking place within and between services (who works with whom) and community. Applied thematic analyses were conducted. The model that we present allows us to describe health service provider expectations and experiences regarding patient and community participation. ResultsWe organize findings around three themes: I) The most commonly described interventions, II) different types of challenges to and within participation; and III) what successful participation can look like according to service providers. Participants speak of the challenges for families to go towards services as well as the challenges for services providers to go towards youth and families, including personal, organisational and historical factors. ConclusionWe adopt a critical lens to reflect on the key findings in order to tease out points of tension and paradoxes that might hinder the participation of youth and families. We then use a constructive lens to amalgamate and build on service providers’ descriptions of challenges and successes to identify promising approaches that seem to encourage participation of youth and families.

A Postcolonial Discourse Analysis of Community Stakeholders’ Perspectives on Supporting Urban Indigenous Older Adults to Age Well in Ottawa, Canada

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren A. Brooks-Cleator ◽  
Audrey R. Giles
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Discourse Analysis ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Indigenous Health ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Health And Social Services ◽  
Community Stakeholders ◽  
Postcolonial Discourse

The urban Indigenous older adult population in Canada continues to grow; however, there is a lack of understanding of how non-Indigenous health and social services and Indigenous-specific organizations are responding to and addressing the growth of this population. Therefore, in this research, we conducted a postcolonial discourse analysis of semi-structured interviews with six decision-makers (e.g., managers and directors of health and social services organizations) and seven service providers (e.g., program coordinators and social workers) from Indigenous and non-Indigenous health and social service organizations in Ottawa, Canada, to examine how they produce understandings of supporting urban Indigenous older adults to age well. The participants produced three main discourses: (a) non-Indigenous organizations have a responsibility to support Indigenous older adults, (b) culturally specific programs and services are important for supporting Indigenous older adults to age well, and (c) it is difficult for community stakeholders to support Indigenous older adults to age well because this population is hard to reach. The results demonstrate the complexities and tensions that community stakeholders face in supporting Indigenous older adults to age well within a sociopolitical environment informed by reconciliation and a sociodemographic trend of an aging population.

Access to health and social services for IDU: The impact of a medically supervised injection facility

2009 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 341-346 ◽  
Author(s):  
WILL SMALL ◽  
NATASHA VAN BOREK ◽  
NADIA FAIRBAIRN ◽  
EVAN WOOD ◽  
THOMAS KERR
Keyword(s):  
Social Services ◽  
Health And Social Services ◽  
Supervised Injection Facility ◽  
Access To Health ◽  
Supervised Injection ◽  
The Impact

scholarly journals On the Frontlines: Perspectives of Providers Working With Homeless Women

2017 ◽  
Vol 40 (5) ◽  
pp. 665-687 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benissa E. Salem ◽  
Jordan Kwon ◽  
Masha Ames
Keyword(s):  
Los Angeles ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Central City ◽  
Intervention Development ◽  
Homeless Women ◽  
Structural Level ◽  
East Los Angeles ◽  
Health And Social Services ◽  
Age Range

Homeless service providers (HSPs) are on the frontlines of caring for the most vulnerable populations to help them navigate out of homelessness and access health and social services. The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand, from the perspectives of HSPs ( N = 19; age range, 27-58 years; SD = 10.37), their account and experiences in working with homeless women (HW), and opportunities for intervention development and integration. Five focus groups were conducted with HSPs in Central City East, Los Angeles. Five main themes emerged which included (a) seeking to establish a therapeutic relationship, (b) internal and external drivers of change, (c) navigating systems, (d) targeted outreach, and (e) program design recommendations. Within these themes, individual- and structural-level characteristics emerged. To better equip HW, HSPs’ perspectives need to be considered in future interventions to aid women traverse homelessness.

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