Approaching Etuaptmumk--introducing a consensus-based mixed method for health services research.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Indigenous Studies
• Health Systems Research

Background:

• Health systems require improvement in circumpolar and Indigenous contexts.
• There's a need to integrate Indigenous knowledge into health research.
• Existing literature lacks documented methods combining Indigenous knowledge and health systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a consensus-based, mixed method incorporating Indigenous knowledge.
• To explore Indigenous values underpinning health systems stewardship.
• To address conflicts between Indigenous and Western knowledge systems in health research.

Main Methods:

• A consensus-based, mixed-method approach was employed.
• The study integrated Indigenous knowledge with Western research paradigms.
• The principles of Etuaptmumk (two-eyed seeing) guided the methodology.

Main Results:

• The nominal consensus method effectively embedded Indigenous knowledge.
• The framework allowed for diverse perspectives and consensus-building.
• This mixed methodology proved suitable for research integrating Indigenous and Western knowledge.

Conclusions:

• Mixed methods, particularly consensus-based approaches, can successfully integrate Indigenous knowledge into health systems research.
• Further utilization and critical evaluation of this methodology are recommended.
• This approach respects and incorporates Indigenous values in health research.