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BUILDING BRIDGES FOR PAIN COMMUNICATION AND MANAGEMENT: COMMUNITY-LED INSIGHTS FROM CREE AND DENE/MÉTIS COMMUNITIES IN NORTHERN SASKATCHEWAN

Date

2023-08-17

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

ORCID

Type

Thesis

Degree Level

Masters

Abstract

Background Indigenous Peoples in Canada experience a higher prevalence of chronic musculoskeletal (MSK) pain compared to non-Indigenous populations. However, effective communication and management of pain within Indigenous communities remain largely unexplored. This study aimed to collaborate with the Cree community of Pelican Narrows and the Dene/Métis community of La Loche, both located in northern Saskatchewan, to identify elements that would better promote culturally appropriate ways of pain communication and pain management. Methods This thesis encompasses two studies. The first study focuses on the collaborative development of the Community Directed Pain Scale in partnership with a Cree Elder and a Knowledge Keeper in Pelican Narrows. The pain assessment tool was piloted and followed by semi-structured interviews to assess the scale's concurrent validity and gather recommendations for improving pain communication. The second study involves a comprehensive needs assessment conducted in partnership with the community of La Loche to identify the strengths and needs of the community in terms of pain communication and pain management. Results: The Community Directed Pain Scale yielded comparable outcomes as the Faces Pain Scale-Revised, a well-established pain assessment tool. The needs assessments in La Loche revealed the impact the patient-provider relationship has on the effectiveness of pain communication. Recommendations were made from the members of both communities on ways to enhance rapport and improve pain communication. Conclusions This research emphasized the significance of creating a safe environment for Indigenous community members to share their chronic MSK pain journeys. Through open and respectful conversations with community members in Pelican Narrows and La Loche, foundational elements such as patient-centered care, the provision of culturally responsive approaches, and the patient-provider relationship were identified as key to effective pain communication and management.

Description

Keywords

Pain Assessment Tools, Pain Communication, Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain, Indigenous Perspectives, Community-Engaged Research, Culturally Responsive Care, Pain Management Needs

Citation

Degree

Master of Science (M.Sc.)

Department

Medicine

Program

Health Sciences

Part Of

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DOI

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