Introducing healing circles and talking circles into primary care

Area of Science:

• Indigenous Health
• Primary Care Innovation
• Qualitative Research Methods

Background:

• The talking circle is a traditional North American aboriginal practice.
• Incorporating indigenous practices into primary care can enhance cultural relevance and patient engagement.
• Primary care settings often serve diverse populations, including Native Americans, necessitating culturally sensitive interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the incorporation of the talking circle into primary care for Native American populations.
• To assess the impact of talking circle participation on participants' reported symptoms and quality of life.
• To explore the potential of the talking circle as a cost-effective healthcare intervention.

Main Methods:

• A prospective study involving 1200 participants in talking circles.
• 415 participants completed pre- and post-questionnaires after attending at least 4 sessions.
• The Measure Your Medical Outcome Profile version 2 (MYMOP2) was used as the primary outcome measure.

Main Results:

• Participation in at least 4 talking circle sessions led to statistically significant improvements in reported symptoms (p < 0.001).
• Overall quality of life also showed statistically significant improvement (p < 0.001).
• Effect sizes ranged from 0.75 to 1.19, indicating moderate to large effects.

Conclusions:

• The talking circle is an effective tool for improving health outcomes and quality of life in Native American primary care settings.
• This culturally adapted intervention shows promise for addressing stress-related and other life problems.
• The talking circle may offer a valuable, alternative approach to healthcare, potentially reducing overall healthcare costs.