Reimagining Indigenous healthcare through a readiness to practice lens: A quantitative content analysis of the empirical literature.

Abstract

Objectives: The concept of "readiness to practice" has not been clearly delineated within an Indigenous health context. This systematic review occurred on a multi-database survey of published primary literature. The primary objective of this review was to determine what it takes for clinicians to be ready to practice with Indigenous populations.

Methods: This review identified articles published in the last 20 years within Canada, the United States, New Zealand, and Australia. The databases that were searched included CINAHL, Medline (via Ovid), Embase (via Ovid), Scopus, and Web of Science, with an additional hand search of references from relevant articles. This search took place from January to May 2022, with subsequent analysis from May to September 2022.

Results: Primary studies were coded using quantitative content analysis procedures and quantified codes were subjected to exploratory factor analyses. Four factors described a competent clinician across studies, including a relational disposition, decolonized practice, cultural immersion, and Indigenous professional support.

Conclusion: This sphere of literature is relatively novel and there do not appear to be many individuals directly commenting on attributes needed to be prepared to work with Indigenous communities. There exist potential gaps in knowledge that could be addressed by conversations with Indigenous stakeholders and implementation of health education programs that focus on developing Indigenous-specific competencies.