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The Indigenous Health Planning Committee (IHPC) is a collective of Indigenous Communities and Indigenous community and health organizations located in the former Erie St. Clair LHIN (ESC LHIN) regions. As a planning and coordinating body of decision makers, the IHPC had the responsibility of setting out the priorities for the health care needs of the Indigenous communities within the ESC LHIN region.

Although the health of Indigenous populations in Canada has been improving in recent years, First Nations, Metis, and lnuit peoples continue to experience lower health outcomes compared to non-Indigenous Canadians. Recognizing the multitude of health care needs within lndigenous communities, the Indigenous Health Planning Committee (IHPC) established a regional Indigenous Health Strategic Plan 2016-2019 as a directional tool to be shared with health system providers for their adoption and joint advancement in aiming to improve Indigenous patient health outcomes. The three year Indigenous Health Strategic Plan included “lndigenous patient resources for health service providers" (videos and IHPC Culture Based Integration Model)" as one of the tactics to increase cultural sensitivity/awareness under Strategic Direction #1: Reduce Health Inequities for Indigenous People. Through extensive research, collaboration and information gathering since 2016, the Indigenous Cultural Structural Model and accompanying Indigenous Care Plan Guide were created. The overview of this model of care and the guide is a practical tool to help service providers respond effectively to Indigenous patients' needs, wants and goals for their health and wellness.

The Indigenous Cultural Structural Model is comprised of three components:

• Indigenous Patient/Family Culture Based Care Plan: Forms to be used by health care providers which include Demographic Data, Health Conditions & Management Questions, Medication list & Management Questions, Self-Management Plan Questions, Care Team Information and Patient Tools on Self-Management Health Care Planning.
  

  

• Indigenous Care Plan Guide: Goes hand in hand with the Care Plan. Building and maintaining trust is critical to establishing a rapport with the patient and family and requires healthcare providers to demonstrate specific cultural attributes such as The Seven Grandfather Teachings (respect, honesty, truth, humility, bravery, love, and wisdom) and Relationship Teachings (kindness, authenticity, sharing, and strength). Together, these qualities support the creation and maintenance of deeper and more meaningful connections with the patient and family that lead to improved health and well-being.  The Guide includes guiding questions for co-creating the Self-Management Plan & Goal Setting for Patients/ Families.

• 25 Minute Video (click above to watch the video): Explains how to implement the Indigenous Patient/Family Culture Based Care Plan and Indigenous Care Plan Guide.
  

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