TWU researchers incorporate Indigenous knowledge into technology that improves health care and well-being for First Nations communities

When Indigenous ways of knowing inform health care systems and technology, it can lead to better health outcomes for Indigenous communities.

This potential for positive change is what motivates the work of researchers at Trinity Western University.

When Indigenous experiences into the design of health care and technological supports

TWU’s Canada Research Chair program of research on Person-Centred Outcomes at the School of Nursing is partnering with several Canadian organizations to support developing a culturally aligned digital health data platform for First Nations. The research project on “Social Determinants and Quality of Life Measurement Framework for Indigenous Digital Health Systems,” which started in fall 2022, is led by faculty supervisors Dr. Richard Sawatzky and Dr. Kendra Rieger.

The significance of this project is that it illuminates Indigenous peoples’ perspectives and brings Indigenous experiences to bear upon the design of health care and technological supports.

The research team includes TWU Nursing professors and PhD fellow, Kathleen Lounsbury (Namgis First Nation), who has taught in various classes about Indigenous history as it relates to nursing, psychology, and religious studies. Ayumi Sasaki is a post-doctoral fellow at TWU, while Monica Friesen is pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing at TWU.

Envisioning a platform tailored to Indigenous needs and ways of knowing

The project is Indigenous-led, meaning that the industry partners and the communities being served are Indigenous. These direct connections provide the researchers with confidence that their work will produce practical, actionable outcomes that make a real difference in the lives of First Nations peoples.

Lounsbury believes that the project can “give voice” to Indigenous people across Canada when it comes to designing the services that support their health care and well-being. “I'm excited about having a platform that is tailored to Indigenous needs and ways of knowing,” she expressed. 

Currently, Lounsbury is examining the existing literature and analysing the social determinants of health to understand how colonization has impacted Indigenous health. She is confident that the outcomes of this research will improve access to health care for Indigenous peoples and help service providers better serve Indigenous communities.

The researchers further describe the project’s iterative process, which involves extensive community participation. The team looks forward to sharing their research with First Nations communities through “learning alliance tables,” where the interactions continue to be rich and informative.

Developing Indigenous-led health care systems

One critical aspect of the project is self-determination—supporting Indigenous peoples in determining for themselves the important domains of health and quality of life factors that are valuable for them. The researchers see this project as an invaluable opportunity to explore and amplify the Indigenous perspectives and voices with applications for health care.  

Friesen, who is gathering the current evidence on Indigenous models, metrics, indicators, and domains for quality of life or well-being, highlights the significance of developing Indigenous-led health care systems, expressing, “This is a chance for us to reorient the way health services are delivered to a way that is more tailored to the unique needs of communities, relying on input from those communities. This approach puts the power back in the hands of the client.”

Listening to Indigenous communities

As the researchers seek to listen to Indigenous communities as the experts on their health and well-being, they are consulting with Indigenous groups, service providers, elders, and knowledge keepers.

To gather this important input, post-doctoral fellow Sasaki is leading focus groups and interviews, listening carefully to Indigenous communities to understand what they perceive as relevant areas when it comes to health and well-being. Following this, Sasaki will begin to merge data on the current context with the existing knowledge that is being gathered by Friesen and Lounsbury in their literature review.

Connection to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action

Sasaki highlights the connection between their work and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action. She is excited for the opportunity to take action in partnership with others, expressing, “The aim for this research is to develop a new digital health ecosystem that will empower Indigenous communities towards monitoring and making their own decisions regarding their health and well-being. I find that to be the most incredible process and outcome, and it's been absolutely amazing to work with passionate Indigenous individuals as a group to move forward.”

Together, the efforts of the researchers and partners will help create a framework for how to understand and track social determinants of health and quality of life in an Indigenous context. This framework will include guidance on collecting, analyzing, and applying social and health data to inform health care policies and services for First Nations communities. The result will guide the development of a digital health ecosystem for Indigenous nations and a platform that is tailored to Indigenous needs and ways of knowing.

Trinity Western University acknowledges and expresses gratitude for all project partners: Mustimuhw Information Solutions Inc., an award-winning software and digital solutions provider for Indigenous Health and Child & Family Services organizations, is leading the project. Project partners include the Cowichan Tribes of BC, Chief Red Bear Children's Lodge, Cambian, Canada Health Infoway, First Nations Digital Health Ontario, First Nations Health and Social Secretariat of Manitoba, LifeLabs Medical Laboratory Services, SE Health, Digital Supercluster, and Trinity Western University.

About the project, “Social Determinants and Quality of Life Measurement Framework for Indigenous Digital Health Systems”

As a research partner, Trinity Western University is honoured to lead the MITACS internship project on “Social Determinants and Quality of Life Measurement Framework for Indigenous Digital Health Systems.” This important work is part of a larger partnered project, Indigenous Digital Health Ecosystem (IDHE), which is led by Mustimuhw Information Solutions with co-investment by the Digital Supercluster initiative (Digital Supercluster - Building Canadian Prosperity). Mustimuhw Information Solutions (MIS) is a Nation-based company fully owned by Cowichan Tribes. MIS has invited Dr. Richard Sawatzky to lead the research as part of his ongoing work on equitable people-centred health measurement, with Dr. Kendra Rieger joining as co-lead to contribute expertise in Indigenous research. The research is done as part of TWU’s ongoing partnership with health information technology company Cambian, who is also a partner on the IDHE project.