[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Todd_Young.jpg” caption=”Todd Young”]A new course at McMaster University focusing on aboriginal health issues will increase medical students' awareness of the healthcare issues unique to the Aboriginal Peoples of Canada.

The optional course, or elective, is a first of its kind in Canada. It is the result of collaboration between the McMaster Native Students Health Sciences Program and aboriginal and non-aboriginal McMaster medical students, who all have a passion for medical education.

“Most aboriginals access health care from non-aboriginal physicians,” said third-year medical student Todd Young, chair of the committee that developed the elective.

“We speculated whether Canadian medical students were being provided the information necessary to deliver competent and culturally sensitive health care services to aboriginal people, their families, and communities.”

Young, and classmate Adam Spencer, implemented a national survey assessing various aspects of medical education and aboriginal health issues.

“We found that many programs offered a lecture or scenario or two, or a clinical placement opportunity, but there was no program that offered a structured elective in aboriginal health issues using all the components of learning.”

“This elective is the first to use lecture and instructive methods from key speakers, plus problem-based learning, clinical placements, and a community visit,” said Young. “We want to encourage co-operation, collaboration, and discussion on aboriginal culture and history, health issues and the burden of illness, and health care delivery.”

Medical student Bonnie Larson particularly appreciates when personal perspectives are shared during the elective.

“For example, recently we learned about aboriginal cultural beliefs surrounding suicide, and how that relates to the suicide incidence and patterns in Canadian aboriginal communities. This takes my understanding beyond what I can read in an academic paper. This helps me understand where I, as a future physician, may fit in the big picture of aboriginal health care.”

The 30 students enrolled in the five-month elective, which began in October 2003, have attended large group sessions, participated in problem-based learning scenarios and written assignments reflecting on their own attitudes and beliefs towards aboriginal issues. In February and March, the students are visiting aboriginal health care facilities and cultural centres to gain clinical experience.

“We hope that through such learning, physicians of the future will be better prepared to assist with providing care for the Aboriginal Peoples of Canada,” said Young.

Susan Denburg, associate dean, academic, in the Faculty of Health Sciences agrees.

“Dr. Nel Wieman, director of McMaster's Native Students Health Sciences Office has been working to create opportunities for students to enhance their awareness of aboriginal health issues and has been actively involved in the development of this elective.”

Wieman says: “I envision the Aboriginal health elective reaping a variety of benefits. McMaster medical students will gain exposure to both Aboriginal history and health issues – these are often neglected but significant areas of concern within the Canadian health care system.”

“We acknowledge the historical experiences of Aboriginal Peoples but the focus of the elective is on how the medical students can participate in contributing to the improved health status of Aboriginal Peoples by delivering more culturally relevant care.”

“McMaster can take pride in training physicians who have a greater awareness of, and sensitivity to, broader social and cultural issues. This elective is but one example of McMaster's commitment to inspiring innovation and instilling a sense of social responsibility in the physicians who train here.”

Student Linda Plowright said she hadn't given aboriginal health care challenges much thought before she started the elective. But now, she says, she's learned that: “Until we learn to respect and encourage their right to effective and inclusive health care, we cannot realize our goal of a partnership between diversity and equality.”

Wiemen says: “It is heartening for Aboriginal Peoples to know that student physicians are showing an interest in learning more about their culture, communities and challenges. The Aboriginal health elective is a small but significant way of fostering collaboration and building a bridge between the world views of the traditional Aboriginal understanding of health and Western medical practice.”