FORGE AHEAD research program workshop brings indigenous communities together

The TransFORmation of IndiGEnous PrimAry HEAlthcare Delivery (FORGE AHEAD) research program brought together over 50 community and healthcare professionals from six First Nations communities across Canada to launch the first in a series of three workshops as part of the first wave of implementation for FORGE AHEAD. FORGE AHEAD is a five-year program that brings together First Nations communities, academic researchers, healthcare professionals, industry leaders, government and policy partners, and Indigenous and non-Indigenous organizations to improve diabetes management in First Nations communities. The program is being implemented in three waves in order to facilitate community participation. The primary objective of FORGE AHEAD is to develop and evaluate community-driven, culturally relevant, primary healthcare models that enhance chronic disease management and appropriate access to available services in First Nations communities in Canada.

Two consecutive workshops were held bringing together community team members on January 27-28, 2015 and clinical team members on January 29-30, 2015 at Ivey Spencer Leadership Centre to build capacity around diabetes care and guide teams to develop community-driven quality improvement initiatives aimed at improving the care and management of chronic diseases. The workshops were designed to integrate educational sessions and breakout sessions were Community Facilitators trained by program staff at Western University led their teams in designing initiatives that align with community priorities and available resources. Championed in their communities by the Community Facilitators, teams are now armed to begin implementation of the initiatives they designed at the workshop using the Plan-Do-Study-Act cycle tool to develop a plan to test the change (Plan), carry out the test (Do), observe and learn from the consequences (Study), and determine what modifications should be made to the test (Act). The second and third workshops are planned to build on the educational sessions and to merge the community and clinical teams together.

Wave 1 Partnering Communities:

  1. Tsuu T’ina Nation, AB
  2. Maskwacis Cree Nation, AB
  3. Ebb & Flow First Nations, MB
  4. Kahnawake Mohawk Territory, QC
  5. Waskaganish First Nation, QC
  6. Miawpukek First Nation, NL

 

To learn more about the FORGE AHEAD research program visit our website and find us on Facebook.

FORGE AHEAD Program Manager:

Mariam Naqshbandi Hayward

Principal Investigator:

Dr. Stewart Harris