Advancing Patient and Family Centred Care during End of Life for the Indigenous Persons and Their Families at Nipigon District Memorial Hospital
Summary
This Fellowship Document was designed to increase my knowledge of End of Life Care that would be culturally sensitive. To acquire a comprehensive understanding of the Indigenous Culture Practice with the incorporation of Western Medicine in relation to End of Life Care. And lastly to build upon my current knowledge, skills and practice to facilitate change, mentoring, and supporting staff specific to Nipigon District Memorial Hospital.
How the content was researched and presented was through a journal format. As the Fellow, I first interacted with my lack of knowledge in this topic then spent the time reading various professional papers, books and interviewed the Elders, Indigenous Resource Managers, Healers and Navigators. In the end; the Document has the look and feel of a book. There is an acknowledgement section followed by an Introduction, Chapters and a Conclusion.
It was indeed a journey which has deeply changed me in ways I never would have expected. I expected this learning journey to be very cerebral however two things happened. I was transformed by the knowledge but also transformed in my spirit. A transformation took place which has affected the way I see the Indigenous Client as well as becoming aware of patients as individual. The patient lives a life that is unique as well as their final journey to the end of life is also unique and therefore must be explored by the caregiver in order to follow through with a patient's wishes for that journey to the end. This Fellowship study gave me the opportunity to learn and develop personally and professionally. Through the various books I read, articles and academic papers and time spent with the Elders, I was able to achieve this level of knowledge and understanding. The profound study significantly moved me as I learned what happened at the Residential Schools. The journey down a very dark path which is part of our Canadian History shocked me. During my study I was able to obtain knowledge, find its deep meaning, develop a Last Days Order Set and a Strategic Plan to deliver Quality Specific Care at NDMH.
Outcomes
The patient population will experience the benefit from this Fellowship study begins with the Patients in which we serve presently at Nipigon District Memorial Hospital. Our hospital is in close proximity to Four Indigenous Communities. Once an Indigenous Patient approaches the End of Life Journey, their preference is to have that journey in their own community surrounded by their family and friends however if the infrastructure cannot support that patient remaining at home for their last days then the Patient will be accommodated with the Hospice Suite located in Nipigon District Memorial Hospital. As a result of this Fellowship study the Indigenous Patient can now have access to an Indigenous Healer and or Elder. A telephone directory is now located at the Acute Care desk where nurses can notify an Indigenous Healer or Elder if a Patient so desires this service.
I have developed a Last Days Order Set for Indigenous Traditional Medicines and Cultural Practices. I have developed at Strategic Plan which has been reviewed by the Executive Director and approved to move forward with this plan for our Facility.
We are working in partnership with the Red Rock Indian Band and The Flying Post Indian Band to obtain Government funding to construct a ventilation system in our Hospice Room for the purpose of Smudging Ceremonies Practiced for End of Life Care.
Finally, the staff at Nipigon District Memorial Hospital have started the process of Cultural Safety Training. This will create a sensitivity amongst our staff regarding the Indigenous People in whom we serve.
Overall experience
The overall experience was wonderful. It was a pleasure and an honor to have this opportunity to participate in this specific topic study. I believe this study has given me an enriched experience both personally and professionally. The Fellowship Document will take the reader on a profound journey into the Indigenous Culture. Thinking that indeed this was an academic study, the nature of the content studied took me far beyond a learning exercise to a sense of being truly respectful of others and their culture: not only for the Indigenous Patients but for all People. As the reader interacts with this document they will receive a full understanding of the Indigenous Culture and how this Culture is practiced during End of Life Care.
I am appreciative of my time spent with the Elders, my time spent in the Sweat Lodge with the Forensic Patients and my time spent with the Indigenous Healers and Resource persons. I am thrilled that these lovely people would take the time for me to teach me their ways. I am grateful and amazed!
