National Initiative to Improve Indigenous Health Care Unveiled

    OTTAWA, March 26 /CNW Telbec/ - The Indigenous Physicians Association of
Canada, The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and Health
Canada unveiled today the pilot educational programs of the First Nations,
Inuit and Métis Health Curriculum - an innovative, national project designed
to improve Indigenous health care in Canada.
    The four teaching modules in Obstetrics, Gynecology, Psychiatry, and
Family Medicine were created by three working groups, composed of faculty from
Canada's medical schools, national Aboriginal organizations and Indigenous
elders, as well as experts in First Nations, Inuit and Métis health and
curriculum development.
    "Improving the health of Canada's First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples
is a priority for our Government," said the Hon. Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of
Health. "This initiative will promote better health outcomes for Aboriginal
Canadians by educating physicians across the country on their specific needs."
    The launch of the Health Curriculum modules marks the culmination of a
two-year Health Canada-funded initiative. Designed for medical residents and
practicing physicians, the programs provide the education and cultural
competencies these professionals require to better meet the health care needs
of Canada's Indigenous peoples.
    Under the new initiative, an Indigenous-specific core curriculum program
was developed to provide basic statistical and historical information and
covers such topics as residential schools, vital statistics and the social
determinants of health. The initiative also created discipline-specific
educational programs for improving treatment in obstetrics and gynecology,
family medicine and psychiatry. These will clearly demonstrate to medical
residents and physicians how to offer improved care to First Nations, Inuit
and Métis patients.
    "The Royal College has made improving the health status of Aboriginal
Canadians a priority. An important part of this is ensuring that physicians
provide more culturally sensitive and culturally safe health care," said
College President Dr. G. William N. Fitzgerald, CM, MD, FRCSC. "Outlining
these cultural competencies will help all physicians, regardless of age and
experience, deliver better treatment."
    "I am extremely proud of the collaborative work done by these committed
individuals," said Dr. Marcia Anderson, President of the Indigenous Physicians
Association of Canada, MD, MPH, FRCPC. "This initiative builds on our work to
influence medical education at the undergraduate level, so that there will be
First Nations, Inuit and Métis health education at all levels of medical
learning. The new programs will have a direct impact on our faculties and the
medical workforce, improving the ability of Canada's physicians to provide
high-quality, culturally safe care to Indigenous people, thus ultimately
impacting in a positive way the health and vibrancy of First Nations, Inuit
and Métis people."

    About the Royal College:

    The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada is the national,
not-for-profit organization that sets high standards for postgraduate medical
education in 61 specialties and subspecialties in Canada. The Royal College is
dedicated to excellence in specialty medical care, the highest standards in
medical education and lifelong learning and the promotion of sound health
policy. To find out more, please visit: http://rcpsc.medical.org/.

    About the Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada (IPAC):

    The Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada is a voluntary
association of First Nations, Inuit and Métis medical students, residents and
physicians, with members learning and working all across the country. IPAC
also has a growing affiliate membership: Indigenous and non-Indigenous
organizations and people who share and contribute to our vision. IPAC's vision
is healthy and vibrant Indigenous nations, communities, families and
individuals supported by an abundance of knowledgeable, well-educated,
well-supported Indigenous physicians working together with others who share
this vision./NOTE TO PHOTO EDITORS: A photo accompanying this release is available on
    the CNW Photo Network and archived at http://photos.newswire.ca.
    Additional archived images are also available on the CNW Photo Archive
    website at http://photos.newswire.ca. Images are free to accredited
    members of the media/

For further information: Kelly Goulet-Lewis, Consultant, Blueprint
Public Relations, [phone] x22, Cell: [phone],
[e-mail]; Heather Chew, Partner, Blueprint Public Relations, (613)
237-7400 x21, Cell: [phone], [e-mail]