How Should Health Professions Schools Partner With AI/AN Communities?

Area of Science:

• Indigenous Health
• Health Professions Education
• Tribal Partnerships

Background:

• Health professions institutions often occupy ancestral Indigenous lands.
• While land acknowledgments are common, substantive support for American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) health is less frequent.
• Existing tribal-university partnerships in education are less common than in research, despite their critical importance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the responsibilities of health professions schools in supporting AI/AN health.
• To advocate for increased tribal-university educational partnerships, specifically clinical rotations and student recruitment.
• To provide a framework for developing these vital collaborations.

Main Methods:

• Literature review on tribal-university partnerships in health professions education.
• Analysis of existing models for clinical rotations on tribal lands.
• Exploration of strategies for recruiting and retaining AI/AN students.

Main Results:

• Tribal-university educational partnerships offer significant benefits for both students and tribal communities.
• Clinical rotations on tribal lands enhance student learning and cultural competency.
• Recruiting AI/AN students diversifies the healthcare workforce and addresses health disparities.

Conclusions:

• Health professions schools have a crucial role in advancing AI/AN health equity.
• Developing robust tribal-university educational partnerships is essential for a diverse and competent health workforce.
• Implementing adaptable roadmaps can foster successful and sustainable collaborations.