Students supporting aboriginal health
VCH currently works in partnership with SFU, supporting the Master of Public Health graduate program by providing practicum students with hands-on learning experiences within the field. Both Alex and Dominika completed projects that supported the work of the Aboriginal Health Strategic Initiatives and Population Health teams – Here is a brief overview of their practicum work:
Aboriginal Elder Continuing Care Project
Alex Baloukov
Alex Baloukov supported the initiation of a health service mapping project focused on the continuing care needs of aging Aboriginal community members in the VCH region. Continuing care services of interest included in-home care, home and community care, assisted living and residential care. Alex talked to a variety of key informants and was fortunate to be welcomed by the communities of Nuxalk and Bella Coola to learn about the continuing care services that exist in this area and the challenges that health care providers and clients experience in a rural location. Feedback helped to identify key opportunities for improvement in continuing care for Elders. Inclusion and engagement of Elders in community, use of plain language in communication, provision of culturally competent care and addressing staff shortages were all important themes that were highlighted from this project.
Alex shared that his practicum experience with Vancouver Coastal Health has reaffirmed his interest in furthering the promotion of a more holistic approach to health and wellness.
Aboriginal Homelessness in Rural Vancouver Coastal Regions Project
Dominika Krzeminska
Dominika Krzeminska worked to create an understanding of the current state of homelessness among Aboriginal people in the Sunshine Coast and Squamish regions of Vancouver Coastal Health. Homelessness includes not only individuals who sleep on streets or in shelters, but also those who couch surf, live in inadequate housing or experience a separation from traditional land or family kinship networks. Dominika conducted a literature review, analyzed local data and spoke to a number of key informants to help inform her project. Dominika focused on identifying major gaps and challenges in supporting Aboriginal homelessness as well as providing existing examples of strategies and opportunities for addressing homelessness in rural regions. Key strategies that were highlighted in Dominika’s final report include increased outreach work, cultural competency training, community awareness initiatives and homeless service provider / client networking days.
The Aboriginal Health Strategic Initiatives team would like to thank both Alex and Dominika for their hard work this summer. The contributions and energy of practicum students at VCH help to inform and inspire our ongoing work!
“This 11 week practicum was a model opportunity for me to work on a meaningful project while bouncing ideas off of, and receiving guidance from, people who themselves are involved in significant and progressive population health work.” – Dominika Krzeminska