Developing a Practice Standard to Address Indigenous-Specific Racism in Healthcare: A Case Study

Area of Science:

• Healthcare policy development
• Indigenous health equity
• Anti-racism in professional regulation

Background:

• Racism in Canadian healthcare disproportionately affects Indigenous Peoples, leading to significant health disparities.
• The British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) regulates nursing and midwifery professions in BC.
• Existing healthcare systems often perpetuate systemic inequities impacting Indigenous health outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the policy development process for the Indigenous Cultural Safety, Cultural Humility, and Anti-Racism practice standard.
• To identify lessons learned during the creation of this novel regulatory standard.
• To provide a model for other regulatory bodies addressing systemic racism in healthcare.

Main Methods:

• Case study methodology detailing the policy development lifecycle.
• Analysis of the process undertaken by the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM).
• Focus on the implementation of a new practice standard for registrants.

Main Results:

• Successful development and implementation of the Indigenous Cultural Safety, Cultural Humility, and Anti-Racism practice standard in 2021-2022.
• The standard is the first of its kind in Canada for a health profession regulatory college.
• The process involved significant stakeholder engagement and commitment to addressing anti-Indigenous racism.

Conclusions:

• The developed practice standard represents a significant step toward mitigating racism in healthcare for Indigenous Peoples.
• Lessons learned from this process can inform future policy development in cultural safety and anti-racism.
• Regulatory colleges have a crucial role in advancing Indigenous cultural safety and health equity.