Models of Care
Understanding different models of care is foundational to gaining insights into how healthcare services are delivered and how they can be tailored to meet the unique needs of diverse communities.
By exploring various approaches to care, we can identify best practices, challenges, and opportunities for improvement in health systems, particularly in Indigenous communities.
Effective models of care are grounded in culturally relevant practices and policies that prioritize the well-being of individuals while promoting equity and access to quality healthcare. These models ensure that services are responsive, sustainable, and aligned with community values and needs.
Upstream factors such as stress, trauma, pain, and unequal healthcare contribute to substance use issues across all populations, including Indigenous Peoples. However, current treatment approaches often focus primarily on immediate factors like comorbidity and lifestyle, which can limit the effectiveness of care models.
While social, economic, and cultural contexts are increasingly recognized, barriers remain in accessing comprehensive addiction care that addresses both medical and non-medical aspects of the issue. The Knowledge Platform seeks to bridge this gap by integrating clinical and Indigenous knowledge and fostering community involvement to create innovative healthcare models and treatment pathways for addiction.
Check out some neat programs we’ve profiled!
Two recent reports highlight key Indigenous-led initiatives and programs that demonstrate adaptive and community-centred approaches to healthcare:
Guided Divinely: This report focuses on the role of Alberta's Indigenous community-based workers, formerly called the Indian Residential School Support workforce, now integrated into the Trauma-Informed Health and Cultural Support Program (TIHCSP). These workers provide culturally relevant healing resources that address the psychosocial, emotional, and cultural needs arising from colonial traumas.
Community Paramedicine for Primary Healthcare Equity: This report highlights the Aisokinaipiyokiiks Community Paramedicine program in the Siksika Nation, southern Alberta. It showcases how community paramedics are enhancing health and wellness by connecting individuals to essential services, providing care for low-acuity illnesses, and offering in-home detox for alcohol and opioid addiction.