Bruno Margaux, Oster Richard T, Mayan Maria J
School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Alberta, Canada.
Department of Agricultural, Food, and Nutritional Sciences, Division of Human Nutrition, University of Alberta, Alberta, Canada.
Can Med Educ J. 2025 Feb 28;16(1):5-14. doi: 10.36834/cmej.79535. eCollection 2025 Feb.
Strengths-based and culturally sensitive approaches to Indigenous healthcare are much needed within the Canadian healthcare system. This is where allyship comes in. Allyship is loosely defined as the actions of an individual who strives to advance the interests of marginalized groups in which they are not a member. This study investigated the concept of allyship with healthcare providers who were community-identified allies providing care for Indigenous patients.
Qualitative description methodology was utilized, and data was generated through semi-structured interviews with allies in and around the Edmonton area, in Canada. The interviews were conducted online, transcribed verbatim and then coded using thematic analysis.
Interviews were conducted with 13 allies (eight physicians, four allied health professionals and one nurse). The results were captured into three main themes. The demonstrated how allyship must be determined by the community, and encapsulates authentic action and advocacy, as well as working to create positive healthcare experiences. The included commitment to the allyship journey, embracing emotions, and facing and disrupting systemic barriers. Finally, necessitated building and maintaining meaningful relationships with Indigenous people, and ongoing training and education.
The study results enabled a better understanding of how allies interact with their Indigenous patients within the confines of the healthcare system and could inform learning opportunities for those who seek to practice in a culturally humble way. In particular, transcending passive education and training modalities to include opportunities for real life interactions and the development of reciprocal relationships with Indigenous patients.
加拿大医疗体系急需基于优势和文化敏感的原住民医疗保健方法。这就是盟友关系发挥作用的地方。盟友关系的大致定义是，一个人努力促进他们不属于的边缘化群体的利益的行为。本研究调查了与作为社区认定的盟友为原住民患者提供护理的医疗服务提供者之间的盟友关系概念。
采用定性描述方法，通过对加拿大埃德蒙顿地区及其周边的盟友进行半结构化访谈来收集数据。访谈通过网络进行，逐字转录，然后使用主题分析进行编码。
对13位盟友（8名医生、4名专职医疗专业人员和1名护士）进行了访谈。结果归纳为三个主要主题。第一个主题展示了盟友关系必须由社区来决定，包括真实的行动和倡导，以及努力创造积极的医疗体验。第二个主题包括对盟友关系旅程的承诺、接受情感，以及面对和打破系统性障碍。最后，第三个主题要求与原住民建立和维持有意义的关系，以及持续的培训和教育。
研究结果有助于更好地理解盟友在医疗体系范围内如何与他们的原住民患者互动，并可为那些寻求以文化谦逊方式执业的人提供学习机会。特别是，超越被动的教育和培训方式，包括提供现实生活互动的机会以及与原住民患者发展互惠关系。
