Two Spirit Peoples’ Experiences Accessing and Receiving Care in Community Pharmacies
Date
2023-08-25
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
ORCID
Type
Thesis
Degree Level
Masters
Abstract
Two Spirit Peoples (a term used by some Indigenous Peoples to encompass diverse gender and sexual identities) face unique challenges in accessing and receiving healthcare in Canada due to health services, including community pharmacy services, being built on hetero- and cis-normative models that impede appropriate care for Two Spirit Peoples. They are more likely to experience mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, substance use disorders, and are at a higher risk of suicide. The aforementioned prejudices present within the healthcare system produce significant barriers to accessing and receiving appropriate care for Two Spirit Peoples. Coupled with a lack of representation and lack of programming, these issues have resulted in a lack of awareness and understanding of the obstacles faced by Two Spirit individuals in the Canadian healthcare system. Currently there is no published information on Two Spirit Peoples’ experiences accessing and receiving care in community pharmacy settings. To address the lack of published information on this topic, 21 Two Spirit individuals were asked to share their experiences and knowledge in a focus group setting. Four different focus groups were held with Two Spirit individuals residing in various locations across Canada including one in Saskatoon for the Prairies-area and one each in Vancouver, Edmonton, and Toronto. Informed by Indigenous Methodologies, data was recorded via audio-recording and notetaking. The audio was transcribed and then analyzed for themes using the Voice-Centred Relational Method. Findings suggest that there are three major structural systems that affect the experiences of Two Spirit Peoples in community pharmacies. These systems include white supremacy, capitalism, and heteronormativity. These three systemic issues presented themselves in the form of racism, homophobia, transphobia, pharmacists’ lack of knowledge about Two Spirit individuals and their health, and lack of time spent educating or building a relationship with this group of people. In addition to sharing knowledge about their experiences in community pharmacies, the participants provided suggestions for how community pharmacists can better serve the Two Spirit community. The results suggest that dismantling the current structures and ideology in community pharmacy and society needs to happen to overcome these issues.
Description
Keywords
Two Spirit, Community pharmacy, Indigenous, Health
Citation
Degree
Master of Science (M.Sc.)
Department
Pharmacy and Nutrition
Program
Pharmacy