Factoring in Virtual Care in Relation to Indigenous People

Several disparities must be considered when discussing virtual care for Indigenous people. Key factors include ease of access to virtual care, language barriers, digital literacy, and cultural sensitivity within virtual programs.

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Language Barriers: A 2015 report from the Office of Language Commissioners of Nunavut highlighted the significant negative impact of language barriers on patient confidentiality, access to healthcare, and the quality of care (Webster, 2018). Indigenous individuals experience a higher state of well-being when able to communicate in their cultural tongue. In remote care, ensuring the availability of live interpreters and translations becomes a priority for proper care.

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Indigenous-Centered Care: To enhance indigenous-centered care in the virtual world, there is a crucial need for leadership and user involvement sourced directly from indigenous communities (Fitzpatrick et al, 2023). Technological and cultural accessibilities have been identified as major blockades for virtual care, emphasizing the importance of involving indigenous voices in program development (Fitzpatrick et al, 2023).

Digital Literacy Education: Bridging the digital divide requires prioritized education on digital literacy for Indigenous people. This proactive measure aims to address existing gaps in technological access and empower individuals to navigate virtual care effectively!

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Considerations for Indigenous Virtual Care Appropriateness:

Lack of Physical Consultation: Virtual care's limitation in not providing a physical consultation could potentially result in a lack of trust and miscommunication. Strategies to build trust in a virtual setting must be a focal point.

Decreased Engagement: The risk of decreased engagement is associated with the lack of community support in virtual care. Strategies for community involvement and support should be integrated to ensure patient engagement.

Holistic Care: Virtual care must strive to encompass physiological, spiritual, social, cultural, and psychological well-being. Acknowledging and addressing these aspects is essential for providing holistic care to Indigenous patients.

Additional Resources:

An infographic below provided by the Ontario Telemedicine Network (OTN) (2023) offers insights into Indigenous people and virtual care.

A map of communities in Ontario that offer virtual (video) care to Indigenous people.