Towards a framework for the development, implementation and sustainability of eHealth interventions in Indigenous communities

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Published: May 11, 2016
DOI: https://doi.org/10.18192/uojm.v6i1.1565

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Kian Madjedi
Northern Ontario School of Medicine
Rukhsaar Daya
McMaster University

Abstract

eHealth technology, an umbrella term including telemedicine, telehealth, and mobile health interventions (among others), has re­cently begun expanding its reach into Indigenous communities. With this new “migration” comes the need for special consideration of the factors that contribute to “successful” adoption, integration, and sustainability of such eHealth technologies in Indigenous communities. While existing frameworks are typically helpful orientations to guide eHealth implementation, they commonly lack ele­ments that give specific consideration to the important nuances and special considerations when piloting eHealth initiatives in these unique and diverse community and cultural contexts. There is thus a need to expand, adapt, or design new eHealth adoption and implementation frameworks that help guide the piloting and use of health technologies in respectful, ethical, and community-centered ways in Indigenous communities. This paper suggests subjective considerations for the preliminary development of a generic eHealth technology adoption and implementation framework in Indigenous communities. Considerations are divided into three main sections: Development and Adoption; Implementation; and Sustainability, with relevant discussion of the centrality of community engagement, inclusivity, and respect.

 

La cybersanté est une expression utilisée en médecine pour regrouper différentes technologies telles que la télémédecine, la télés­anté, et les interventions de santé mobile. Avec une mise en oeuvre graduelle de la cybersanté dans les communautés autochtones, il y a des considérations spéciales et des facteurs spécifiques à prendre en compte pour assurer une intégration efficace et durable de ces technologies. Certaines infrastructures existent déjà pour faciliter l’utilisation de la cybersanté. Toutefois, il est important que l’utilisation de ces technologies soit éthique, respectueuse des différences culturelles autochtones, et en fonction des besoins des communautés autochtones. Cet article suggère des éléments à considérer dans le développement préliminaire d’une approche médi­cale axée sur la cybersanté et dans la mise en oeuvre d’infrastructure dans les communautés autochtones. Les considérations sont divisées en trois sections : le développement et l’adoption; la mise en oeuvre; et la durabilité, avec une discussion sur l’engagement communautaire, l’inclusion, et le respect mutuel.

Article Details

Issue
Vol. 6 No. 1: Preventative and Personalized Medicine
Section
Commentary
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Author Biographies

Kian Madjedi, Northern Ontario School of Medicine

Kian Madjedi is a joint medical and graduate student at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine.

Rukhsaar Daya, McMaster University

Rukhsaar Daya is a graduate student at McMaster University completing her Master of Science in Global Health with a specialization in implementing innovations in a global context.

References

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