First Nations training for physicians

Issue: BCMJ, vol. 55, No. 10, December 2013, News

BC physicians can now participate in special cultural sensitivity training to help them provide better care to First Nations and Aboriginal patients. The Indigenous Cultural Competency Program was created by the Provincial Health Services Authority to educate physicians about First Nations history and the reasons why Aboriginal people may be reluctant to seek medical attention from the health care system. 

The online program, available at www.culturalcompetency.ca, offers access to the core training curriculum, supplementary resources, ongoing support, and additional training modules focusing on Aboriginal mental health issues. Advisors and contributors to the program include representatives from BC Mental Health and Addiction Services, the University of British Columba, the Provincial Health Services Authority, the First Nations Health Council, the Métis Provincial Council of BC, and other organizations.

Funding to provide physicians with access to this training is provided by the BCMA and the provincial government.

To learn more visit www.culturalcompetency.ca.

. First Nations training for physicians. BCMJ, Vol. 55, No. 10, December, 2013, Page(s) - News.


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Benedict Garry says: reply

Working as a Hospitalist in the Lower Mainland and having the opportunity to treat First Nations patients I was excited that a new Cultural Competency CME course was available online. However, like most physicians, I am not an employee of the PHSA or a health authority, so I was disappointed that I would be charged $250 to complete the course.
Luckily, thanks to the generosity of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Minority Health, there is a similar online course available for 9 hours of free CME: https://cccm.thinkculturalhealth.hhs.gov/. Which is open to Canadian physicians for free!

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