A research project by 2 McMaster University Medical School students blossomed into a 5- month course this year, focussing on Aboriginal health. Thirty students signed on for the elective course, the first of its kind in Canada, which offered lectures and instruction from both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal speakers as well as problem-based learning, clinical placements and community visits.
Todd Young, a third-year medical student who worked as a nurse practitioner in Northern Ontario Aboriginal communities for 10 years before studying medicine, knew of the difficulties faced by non-Aboriginal physicians treating Aboriginal patients.
“Part of medical education is to develop a culturally-sensitive, diverse health care provider, sensitive to the needs of Aboriginal people,” Young said. “To do this, you have to be aware of the issues. A person growing up in Toronto may not have a fair assessment of the issues that affect the health of Aboriginal people.”
Dr. Cornelia Wieman, director of McMaster's Native Students Health Sciences office and one of only 150 Aboriginal physicians in Canada, helped to develop the elective. “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.”
Statistics Canada reported in its 2001 census that the total Aboriginal population in Canada was 976 305.
“When we look at realities, most Aboriginal people access health care from non-Aboriginal physicians,” Young said.
The decision on whether to offer the course again is still being examined, but Young said that “the student feedback has been overwhelming. They learned about issues they didn't even know about before.” — Ken Kilpatrick, Hamilton