Nova Scotia African Nova Scotians with United Way Halifax in English

‘ForUs,ByUs’

Aconversationaboutprimarycarewith AfricanNovaScotianResidents

November

Aboutthe roundtable

OurCareisapan-Canadian conversationwithmembersofthe publicaboutthefutureofprimary care.TheprojectisledbyDr.Tara Kiran,afamilyphysicianand researchscientistbasedatSt. Michael’sHospital,UnityHealth Toronto,andtheUniversityof Toronto

Therearethreephasestotheproject: anationalsurvey,provincialpriorities panels,andcommunityroundtables (seeAboutOurCareonpage20for details).

Inordertodesignahealthcare systemthatmeetstheneedsof everyone,theneedsofmarginalized communitiesmustbecentredinthe conversation.Thecommunity roundtablesaimtolearnfrom communitiesthatarehistorically excludedorconsistentlyunderserved bytheprimarycaresystem.Two communityroundtableswerehosted inNovaScotia,onetoengage refugeeclaimantsandthisone,to engageAfricanNovaScotians,whose ancestorsarrivedinNovaScotia duringthe18thand19thcenturiesas slavesorasescapees.

OurCarepartneredwithUnitedWay Halifax(UWH),alocalimpact organizationthatworkstoalleviate andreducepovertyintheHalifax RegionalMunicipality.Throughthe networksofAfricanNovaScotianstaff ofUWH,theroundtableengaged communitymembersfromacross theHalifaxregion.AfricanNova Scotianshaveresidedintheregion forover400yearsandhave collectiverightstiedtoover52 historicalcommunitiesacrossthe province.¹

TheAfricanNovaScotianCommunity RoundtablewasheldonMonday, November6,2023,attheofficespace oftheTribeNetwork,anorganization thataimstosupportBlack, Indigenous,andracialized entrepreneursinCanada. Participantsmetforsixhourstolearn abouttheprimarycaresystem,share theirperspectives,andgenerate ideasforchangetoaddresstheir concerns.

Theywerejoinedbytwoguest speakers,Dr.RobertWright,Executive DirectoratthePeoples’Counselling ClinicandtheAfricanNovaScotian JusticeInstitute,andDr.Ruth Lavergne,aresearcherwith DalhousieUniversityMedicalSchool’s DepartmentofFamilyMedicine,who spokeonthecurrentstateofthe primarycaresysteminNovaScotia andtheOurCareproject,respectively. Eachpresentationwasfollowedbya questionandanswerperiod.

Participantsspentthebulkoftheday togetherinsmallgroups,sharing whathasandhasnotbeenworking fortheirhealth,anddiscussing possibleremediestotheirconcerns. Thisreportreflectsthethemesand recommendationsidentifiedbythe roundtableparticipants.

WhoWeEngaged andWhy

Therearetwogeneralcategoriesof peopleofAfricandescentinNovaScotia: IndigenousAfricanNovaScotiansand thoseofAfricanoriginwhohavearrived toCanadamorerecently.Theformerare afoundingcultureofNovaScotia,have residedintheregionforover400years, andrepresentthelargestracialized groupintheprovince.Overtheirdistinct historyintheprovince,thecommunity hascontinuedtoexperiencestructural, systemic,andindividualdiscrimination. Theroundtableprimarilycentredon addressingtheneedsofIndigenous AfricanNovaScotians,although participantsfrombothgroupswere welcometoattend.

Institutionalizedanti-Blackracismhas resultedinAfricanNovaScotian communitiesbeingdisplacedfromtheir homesindowntowncentrestoremote andisolatedcommunities.Actsof environmentalracismhaveresultedin thesecommunitiesbeing disproportionatelylocatedcloseto industrieswhichproducehightoxic wasteandpollution.Thesealongwith otherinter-generationalfactorssuchas racismandpovertyhavecontributedto thenegativehealthoutcomesofAfrican NovaScotians.

Theintersectionofcultureandincome hasaprofoundimpactonalltheother socialdeterminantsofhealth,including accesstocareandhealthoutcomes. Thishasbeenillustratedinsomeofthe considerationsfacedbythecommunity highlightingthelackofaccesstocare, includingmentalhealthresources,as significantbarrierstobeaddressed.

Despitethesechallenges,AfricanNova Scotianscontinuetomaintainstrong, resilientcommunitiesthroughoutthe province.Withalllevelsofgovernment historicallydiscriminatingagainst AfricanNovaScotians,thecommunity hasoftenhadtocometogetherinorder toimprovetheirownconditions.Through strongadvocacyandactivismby individualsandcommunitygroups,they havemademanyinterventionsto addressthesocialdeterminantsof health.Thishasrecentlybeenillustrated bytheestablishmentoftheUpper HammondsPlainsCommunityLand Trust,allowingthemtotackleissuesof affordablehousingundertheirown terms.TheparticipantsoftheOurCare Roundtableembodythiscommitmentto communityactivism.TheCommunity Roundtablewasconvenedtolearnmore abouttheissuesfacedbyAfricanNova Scotiansinaccessingprimarycareand shareideasonhowtoaddressthem.

2 https://www.enrichproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Final-Environmental-Racism-Report.pdf ³ https://humanrights.novascotia.ca/sites/default/files/editor-uploads/african_ns_census_data_oct_2016_for_release.pdf ⁴ https://humanrights.novascotia.ca/sites/default/files/editor-uploads/african_ns_census_data_oct_2016_for_release.pdf, 10 ⁵https://humanrights.novascotia.ca/sites/default/files/editor-uploads/african_ns_census_data_oct_2016_for_release.pdf, 9 ⁶https://www.uhpclt.com/info-history/

WhatWeLearned

Throughoutthesession,the participantsspenttimeinsmall groupdiscussions,sharingtheir experiencesandidentifyingthe needsoftheircommunities.

Participantswereprovidedwith thefollowingpromptstoframe theirconversation:

● Whathaveyourexperiences accessingprimarycarebeen likesofar?

○ Whatproblemsand challengeshaveyou encountered?

○ Whathasbeenworking well?

● ReflectonthePanel recommendations.Anything missing?

● Identifyideastoimprove accesstoprimarycarefor AfricanNovaScotians.

Theirconversationshavebeen organizedintoThemesthat highlighttheexperiencesand challengestheysharedandIdeas forChangethatdetailpotential solutionssharedbyparticipants duringtheroundtablediscussions.

Themes

Throughouttheroundtable conversations,participantsdiscussed thedeficienciesofthecurrenthealth caresystem.Someofthebarriers identifiedarethoseexperiencedby thegeneralpopulation,suchas:

● Scarcityoffamilydoctorsand longwait-listsforbothprimary careandotherhealthcare services.Manysharedtheir experiencesofwaitingfor extendedperiodsforcare,with somesharingexamplesofthe negativeoutcomesitledto.

● Disorganizedcare, characterizedbyunclear instructionsandalackof follow-upafterappointments, leavingpatientsuncertain abouthowtoproceedafter receivingdiagnosticservices.

● Inabilitytoaccessone’sown healthinformation,which contributestouncertaintyafter receivingservices.

Outsideofthebarrierslistedabove, participantsdiscussed,atlength,the uniquebarriersfacedbyAfricanNova Scotians.Thefollowingthemes outlinetherecurringbarriers highlightedduringtheroundtable.

Recurringthemes

CollaborationwithCommunity Organizations

Therewasawiderecognitionamong theparticipantsthatcommunity organizationsplaysubstantialrolesin supportingaccesstocare.African NovaScotianshavehadtorelyon eachotherduetogenerationsof governmentneglect,and participantswereemphaticintheir beliefthatmanyofthesolutionsto betterhealthliewithintheir communityspaces.Churchesand communitycentreswerecitedas spacesalreadydoingimportantwork toimprovecare.Community organizationsleaddifferenteffortsto promotehealththroughdietand lifestyle.Theseinitiativeswere ultimatelyaimedatempowering individualstobeproactiveintheir healthtoavoidhavingtoseea doctorinthefirstplace.Initiatives suchasthesewerecitedasonesto emulatebyparticipants.

Systemicracismandnegative experienceswhileseekingcarehave resultedinadistrustofhealthcare serviceswithinAfricanNovaScotian communities.

Churchesandothercommunity organizationswerecitedassolutions tohelpbuildtrustinthehealthcare systemandfacilitateaccesstocare. Duetothedeeprelationshipsthese organizationscarrywithcommunity members,theyhavecreatedsafe spacesforpeopletoreachoutto wheninneed.Assharedby participants,theseinterventions sometimesareadecidingfactorfor individualstoseekclinicalcare.

Communityorganizationshavealso helpedovercomestructuralbarriers toaccessingcare.Existingpractices, suchashelpingwithtransportation todoctor'sappointmentsorproviding childcareduringanemergency,have beenhighlightedasasolutionto addressgeographicalbarriersand improvepeople’shealth.Expanding andsupportingpracticessuchas thesearejustsomeofthewaysthe communitycanbeinvolvedin supportingaccesstocare.Itwas madeclearbyparticipantsthatkey pillarsinthecommunity,suchas churches,arethekeytoimproving thewell-beingofAfricanNova Scotians.

FinancialBarrierstoCare

Furthertothechallengesof accessingprimarycare,participants highlightedtheancillarycostsofcare asasignificantbarrier.Evenin situationswhereindividualsareable toseeacareproviderandreceive treatment,thecostsofitemssuchas prescriptionmedicationcouldstill proveprohibitivetopeople.Financial barriersextendedtoemergency situationsaswell,wherethecostof anambulancebecamea considerationforwhethertoaccess care.Purchasingessentialitemssuch asmedicalequipmentwascitedasa challenge.Thiswashighlightedby oneparticipant,whosharedhowthe costofoxygenequipmentisn’t publiclycovered.Thenecessityofthe oxygentankandthecoststokeepit functioningactedasbarrierstofull participationinday-to-daylife.

Outsideofprimarycare,participants highlightedthelimitedscopeof publiclyfundedservicesisa detrimenttoholisticcare. Participantsspokeabouttheneedto expandpubliccoverageforother servicestobeabletopursueoverall health.Ofnotewasmentalhealth coverage,whichwasframedasa necessityforthehealthofAfrican NovaScotians.

Participantsalsoexplainedhowthe scarcityofBlackhealthcare professionalspracticinginNova Scotiacanalsoposefinancial barrierstopatientspursuing culturallysafecare.Thosewhowould prefertobetreatedbyaBlackcare professionalhavetonavigatethe lackofavailabilityintheprovinceor gotoBlackprofessionalsin non-publiclyfundedmodels.Thisis due,inpart,tothescarcityofBlack healthcareprofessionalspracticing inNovaScotia.Inordertoupliftthe overallhealthofthecommunity,itis keytoaddressfinancialbarriersto care.

CulturalIntegrationfor InternationallyTrainedHealth Professionals

Participantsalsoexpressedconcerns overthebarriersfacedby internationallytrainedhealthcare professionals.Theydiscussedat lengththemissedopportunitiestobe abletoengageinternationally trainedprofessionalstohelpaddress healthhumanresourcechallenges. Participantsnotedthatdecisionson accreditationliewiththeCollegeof PhysiciansandSurgeonsandthe needtoengagewiththemonthese issues.

Further,theydiscussedthat internationallytrainedphysicians whoareabletopracticeinCanada needuniquesupports.Itwasnoted thatracializeddoctorsreceivea disproportionateamountof complaintsfromclientsbecauseofa varietyoffactors,includingcultural differencesincommunicationstyles. Racistattitudestowards internationallytrainedphysicians werealsocitedasacontributing factor,withmanyhavingtocombat stereotypesandxenophobia.

Participantsnotedthat internationallytrainedprofessionals areoftendeployedtoruraland remoteareaswheretherearefew culturallyspecificsupports.They madesuggestionstohelp internationallytrainedprofessionals integrateintotheirnewcommunities socially,forexample,through fosteringintentionalrelationships withlocalcommunitymembersand connectingwithdiasporafromtheir countryoforigin.Anotherideawas supportingmentorshipwithexisting doctorstosupportintegrationand helpbuildtheirprofessionalnetworks inCanada.Participantsnotedhow fosteringtheserelationships,bothfor theprofessionalsandtheirfamilies, canplayanintegralroleinbringing caretoallpartsofNovaScotia.

Despitewantingtoseethesebarriers easedforinternationallytrained professionals,participantscautioned againstfocusingonrecruitingmore healthcareworkersfromother countries.Theybelievedthat recruitingworkersfrom resource-scarcecountriescannotbe thesolutiontodomesticCanadian problems.Instead,theyspecifiedthat thefocusshouldbeonremoving barriersonthosecurrentlylivingin Canadawhoarenotabletoutilize theircredentials.Evenwithout accreditation,participants highlightedseveralopportunitiesfor themtobeinvolved,including developingopportunitiesfor supportingrolesincareand collaborativelearningbetween domesticandinternational professionals.

CulturallySafeandRelationalCare

Thethemeofholistic,culturallysafe carewasconsistentthroughoutthe roundtable.Participantsshared experiencesofanti-Blackracism, dismissiveattitudesfromhealth professionals,andrushed appointmenttimeswhenseeking care.Oneparticipantsharedhow theirageaffectedtheirinteractions withhealthcareprofessionals, highlightinghowthisdismissalwas heightenedbytheirage.

Participantsalsohighlightedthe positiveexperiencesattheNorthEnd CommunityHealthCentre,where thereisparticularemphasisplaced onbuildingrelationshipswith patientsovertime.Home-based palliativecarewasanotherpositive examplehighlightedbymany participants.Receivingcareathome, greateraccesstocareprofessionals foradvice,aswellrecognizingthe needsoffamilycaregivers,wereall citedaslessonsfrompalliativecare thatshouldbeappliedtothebroader healthsystem.Whileitisno replacementforadedicatedfamily doctor,participantsemphasizedthe practicesofat-homepalliativecare asonestomodel.

SocialDeterminantsofHealth

Theimpactofthesocial determinantsofhealthandtheir intersectionwithracializationwere discussedatlengththroughoutthe roundtable.Issuessuchas affordabilityandhousingwere discussedashavingdistinctimpacts onpeople'spersonalhealth.Many highlightedthedifficultyof maintaininggoodhealthiftheydo nothaveastableroofovertheir heads.Therewasawide acknowledgmentthatimproving one’shealthisimpossiblewithout addressingthestructuralfactorsin one’slife.

InitiativessuchasAfrican-owned housingcorporationsand communitylandtrustswere discussedassomesolutionsto addressthem.

Atopicdiscussedatlengthby participantswastheunique challengesfacedbyBlackmen, particularlyastheyage.Aswithother groups,participantsdiscussedhow negativeexperiencesincareandthe difficultyoffindingtrusteddoctors hinderthehealth-seekingbehaviour ofBlackmen.Participantsdiscussed thesocietalexpectationsheldby manyBlackmenasbeinga contributingfactor,withmany resistanttoseekingcaredueto expectationsofmenbeing“macho” andthebelieftheycanwalkofftheir healthconcerns.Incomecanalso playafactor,withparticipants sharingthetendencyforBlackmen toprioritizetheneedsoftheirfamilies overtheirown.Thecost-benefitof goingtoadoctor'sappointmentor potentiallymissingworkandincome isatrade-offthatmanyindividuals havetomake.Asdescribedbythe panel,Blackmenaremorelikelyto prioritizetheneedsoftheirfamily, andnotmissworktoensuretheir financialneedsaremet.

Whiletheseconsiderationsarenot exclusivetoBlackmen,participants highlightedthatitwasacommon mentalityofmenwithintheAfrican NovaScotiancommunity,andacts asafundamentalbarriertopositive healthoutcomes.

Ideasforchange

Addresstheimpactofthesocial determinantsofhealthonaccessto carethroughthefollowingactions:

● Collaboratewithcommunity organizationsandlocal businessestocreateprograms thathelpAfricanNovaScotians withtransportationto appointments;

● Promoteandexpandfinancial supportprogramstoassistwith thecostofessentialmedical equipment(e.g.,oxygentanks) thatarenotunderprovincial insurance

● Centralizeservicesthroughan integratedcaremodel,where individualscanreceivehealth, housing,andotherresourcesin thesamegeographicalarea, trustedbythecommunity.

Createopportunitiesforcommunity organizationstoremovebarriersto carethroughthefollowingactions:

● EngageAfricanNovaScotian communityorganizationsin currenthealthinitiatives targetedatAfricanNova Scotians;

● Collaboratewithspacesalready trustedbythecommunity,such aschurches,toexpandand promoteexistingresourcesfor

transportationandchildcarefor individualswhentheyseekcare;

● Createmorehealthservicesin BlackandAfricanNovaScotian communities,communityhealth centres,andpop-upclinics;

● Involverepresentativesfromthe AfricanNovaScotiancommunity inprovincialpolicydiscussions andinitiativessuchastheNova ScotiaHealthEquityFramework.

Expandandpromoteculturallysafe careandrelationalcarethroughthe followingactions:

● Developandfundspecific AfricanNovaScotianhealth servicesandpathwaystocare;

● Mandateculturalcompetency andculturalhumilitytrainingfor allhealthcareprofessionals;

● Adaptcompensationmodelsfor physicianstoallowmore flexibilityinappointmenttimes andimprovedqualityofcarefor thosewithcomplexhealth needs;

● Createincentivizedprogramsfor familyphysicianstotakeon moreIndigenousandAfrican NovaScotianpatients,with recognitionoftheimpactof systemicdiscriminationontheir healthneeds.

Promotetherecruitmentand retentionofhealthcare professionalsinNovaScotiathrough thefollowingactions:

● Increasetherepresentationof Blackhealthprofessionalsby thecreationofmentorship programslinkingBlackcare professionalsandyouth.This connectstotheeducationof youngpeopletolearnmore abouthealthprofessionsand gettheminterestedinhealth care.Thisisn’tlimitedto medicine,butallthedifferent rolesthatcanbeplayedin healthcare.Fighting stereotypesanddiscrimination isimportant,alongside financialsupport;

● Reducethefinancialbarriers topursuingmedicaleducation throughdedicated scholarshipsandfinancial supportforBlackNova Scotians;

● AdvocatetotheCollegeof PhysiciansandSurgeonsto reducethebarriersfacedby internationally-trained professionalswhen transferringtheircredentials;

● Workwithlocalorganizations toimplementprogramsto supportthecultural integrationofinternationally trainedhealthprofessionals andtheirfamilies.

Acknowledgments

TheOurCareprojectteamgratefullyacknowledgestheleadershipofUnitedWay HalifaxinthedevelopmentandhostingoftheOurCareAfricanNovaScotian CommunityRoundtable.Theprojectteamthanksthosewhovolunteeredtheir timetoparticipateintheroundtableandworktowardsimprovingcarefortheir communities.Theroundtablewasmadepossiblebythecontributionsof:

UnitedWayHalifax

UnitedWayHalifaxisalocalimpactorganizationthatalleviatesandreduces localpoverty.Theyaretrustedbydonors,communities,organizations,and governmentsfortheirabilitytoachievelastingchange.

MirandaCain,InvestmentSupportCoordinator,UnitedWayHalifax

MichelleJohnson,Equity,Diversity&InclusionCoordinator,UnitedWayHalifax

LisaBuchanan,Manager,Collaboration&ExperienceDesign,UnitedWayHalifax

GuestPresenter:PrimaryCare101

Dr.RobertWright,ExecutiveDirector,ThePeoples’CounsellingClinic,AfricanNova ScotianJusticeInstitute

RobertSeymourWright,aseasonedsocialworkerandsociologist,boastsa 32-yearcareerspanningeducation,childwelfare,forensicmentalhealth, trauma,sexualviolence,andculturalcompetence.Asadynamic "clinician/academic/administrator,"heseamlesslyblendsdirectclinicalservice deliverywithteaching,internsupervision,andimpactfulsocialpolicyadvocacy. Hispioneeringworkinculturalcompetenceandassessmentshasgarnered nationalrecognition.

HoldingBachelor’sandMaster’sdegreesinsocialwork,withpost-graduate traininginbothsocialworkandsociology,Roberthasexcelledinrolessuchas RaceRelationsCoordinator,ExecutiveDirectorofFamily&Children’sServices, andExecutiveDirectorofNovaScotia’sChildandYouthStrategy.Currently servingastheExecutiveDirectorofThePeoples'CounsellingClinic,heleadsa "TeachingClinic"providingno/low-costcounsellingandcasemanagement, includinginnovativeprogramslikeManTalkformalevictimsofsexualviolence andcontributionstotheDomesticViolenceCourtProgrammeinHalifax.

RoundtableTeam

TheOurCareAfricanNovaScotianCommunityRoundtablewasdevelopedand managedbyMASSLBP.MASSisCanada'srecognizedleaderinthedesignof deliberativeprocessesthatbridgethedistancebetweencitizens,stakeholders, andgovernment.Formorethanadecade,MASShasbeendesigningand executinginnovativedeliberativeprocessesthathelpgovernmentsdevelopmore effectivepoliciesbyworkingtogetherwiththeirpartnersandcommunities.Find outmoreatmasslbp.com.

OurCarePrincipalInvestigator

Dr.TaraKiran

Familyphysician,St.Michael'sHospitalAcademicFamilyHealthTeam; Scientist,MAPCentreforUrbanHealthSolutions,St.Michael'sHospital,UnityHealth

Toronto;FidaniChairofImprovementandInnovation,UniversityofToronto

OurCareNovaScotiaPrimaryCareCo-LeadforNovaScotia

Dr.RuthLavergne

DepartmentofFamilyMedicine,DalhousieUniversity

NationalProjectDirector

JasminKay,MASSLBP

Moderator

ChimwemweAlao,MASSLBP

Facilitators

TammyEwing

RevelloJohnson

ColinCampbell

CopyEditing

RichardJohnson

Illustration

MarijaMladenović

Translation

GenevièveCodère

Venue

TribeNetwork,HalifaxNovaScotia

AboutOurCare

OurCareisapan-Canadianconversationwitheverydaypeopleaboutthefuture ofprimarycare.TheprojectisledbyDr.TaraKiran,afamilydoctorand renownedprimarycareresearcherbasedinToronto.OurCarehasthreestages:

1. NationalResearchSurvey

ThesurveywasonlinefromSeptember20toOctober25,2022.Morethan 9,200Canadianscompletedthesurvey,sharingtheirperspectivesand experiences.VoxPopLabsco-designedandexecutedthesurvey.

2. PrioritiesPanels

PrioritiesPanelswereheldinfiveprovinces:NovaScotia,Quebec,Ontario, BritishColumbia,andManitoba.MASSLBPco-designedandexecutedthe panelswithOurCareadvisorsandlocaldeliverypartners.

3. CommunityRoundtables

Communityroundtableswerehostedineachofthefiveprovinces, focusingonhistoricallyexcludedgroupsthatwedidnothearenoughfrom duringstages1and2.MASSLBPco-designedandexecutedthe communityroundtableswithOurCareadvisorsandlocalcommunity organizations.

OurCareProjectPartners

OurCareisfundedby:

HealthCanada

HealthCanadaistheFederaldepartmentresponsibleforhelpingCanadians maintainandimprovetheirhealth,whilerespectingindividualchoicesand circumstances.Productionofthisdocumenthasbeenmadepossiblethrougha financialcontributionfromHealthCanada.Theviewsexpressedhereindonot necessarilyrepresenttheviewsofHealthCanada.

MaxBellFoundation

MaxBellFoundationbeganmakinggrantstoCanadiancharitiesin1972.Today, theFoundationsupportsinnovativeprojectsthataredesignedtoinformpublic policychangeinfourprogramareas:Education;Environment;Health&Wellness; andCivicEngagement&DemocraticInstitutions.TheFoundationalsodelivers thePublicPolicyTrainingInstitute,aprofessionaldevelopmentprogram designedtohelpparticipantsmoreeffectivelyengageinthepublicpolicy process,andPolicyForward,afuture-orientedspeakerseriesthatbringsthought leaderstogethertodiscusstheintersectionsofpolicy,technology,and innovation.

StaplesCanada—EventheOddsCampaign

StaplesandMAPhavecometogethertocreateEventheOdds:aninitiativeto raiseawarenessofinequityinCanadaandtohelpbuildvibrant,healthy communities.Thepartnershipisbasedonthesharedbeliefthateveryone shouldhavetheopportunitytothrive.EventheOddsfundsresearchand solutionstohelpmakethefuturefairforeveryone.Learnmoreat staples.ca/eventheodds.

OurCareSupporters

OurCareisbasedat:

MAPCentreforUrbanHealthSolutions

MAPCentreforUrbanSolutionsisaresearchcentrededicatedtocreatinga healthierfutureforall.Thecentrehasafocusonscientificexcellence,rapid scale-upandlongtermcommunitypartnershipstoimprovehealthandlivesin Canada.MAPisbasedatSt.Michael’sHospitalinToronto.

St.Michael’sHospital,UnityHealthToronto

St.Michael’sHospitalisaCatholicresearchandteachinghospitalindowntown Toronto.ThehospitalispartoftheUnityHealthTorontonetworkofhospitalsthat includesProvidenceHealthcareandSt.Joseph’sHealthCentre.

OurCareissupportedby:

DepartmentofFamily&CommunityMedicine,UniversityofToronto

TheUniversityofToronto’sDepartmentofFamily&CommunityMedicineisthe largestacademicdepartmentintheworldandhometotheWorldHealth OrganizationCollaboratingCentreonFamilyMedicineandPrimaryCare.

St.Michael’sFoundation

Establishedin1992,St.Michael'sFoundationmobilizespeople,businessesand foundationstosupportSt.Michael’sHospital’sworld-leadinghealthteamsin designingthebestcare–when,whereandhowpatientsneedit.Fundssupport state-of-the-artfacilities,equipmentneeds,andresearchandeducation initiatives.BecauseSt.Michael'sFoundationstopsatnothingtodeliverthecare experiencepatientsdeserve.

AdvisoryGroups

OurCareisguidedbyseveralnationalandprovincialadvisorygroups comprisingclinicalleaders,representativesfromprofessionalorganizations, researchers,healthsystemadministrators,andpatients.Theadvisorygroups havehelpedshapeeachphaseoftheinitiative.TheOurCareNovaScotia ProvincialAdvisoryGroupprovidedinputintopopulationsoffocusforthetwo communityroundtablesinNovaScotiaandmembershelpedmakerelated connectionstolocalcommunityorganizations.Afulllistofadvisorygroup membersisavailableontheOurCarewebsite.

TolearnmoreaboutOurCare,pleasevisitourcare.ca.

OurCareisfundedby

OurCareisbasedat OurCareissupportedby