EvalByte: Documenting the Development of the New Canadians Health Centre
- No tags were found...
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
<strong>EvalByte</strong><br />
<strong>Documenting</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Development</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>New</strong><br />
<strong>Canadians</strong> <strong>Health</strong> <strong>Centre</strong><br />
Written by Cristian Neves, Augustine Botwe, and Anja Dzunic (ECN Research Assistants)<br />
What is <strong>the</strong> context <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> project?<br />
Refugees have unique and complex health needs, but current<br />
health services are not meeting <strong>the</strong>ir needs. In <strong>the</strong> transition to<br />
life in Canada, inequalities, language barriers, and loss <strong>of</strong> social<br />
networks pr<strong>of</strong>oundly impact refugees’ quality <strong>of</strong> life. Until 2021,<br />
Edmonton was <strong>the</strong> only major city in Canada without a health<br />
centre for refugees. Without access to a holistic model <strong>of</strong> health<br />
care, refugees’ well-being can decline and negatively impact<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir quality <strong>of</strong> life and integration into <strong>the</strong> community. In<br />
response, <strong>the</strong> <strong>New</strong> <strong>Canadians</strong> <strong>Health</strong> <strong>Centre</strong> (NCHC) was<br />
established in August 2021.<br />
The NCHC developed a partnership with <strong>the</strong> ECN to<br />
collaboratively design and implement a principle<br />
based evaluation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> health<br />
centre. This project is part <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> year one evaluation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
NCHC. It aims at capturing <strong>the</strong><br />
collaborative process <strong>of</strong><br />
developing and implementing<br />
<strong>the</strong> NCHC and its core<br />
principles which are rooted in<br />
promoting social justice, equity,<br />
and inclusion.<br />
Key points<br />
THE NCHC IS RESPONDING<br />
TO UNMET NEEDS OF<br />
REFUGEE COMMUNITIES IN<br />
EDMONTON<br />
THE PROJECT AIMS AT<br />
DOCUMENTING THE HEALTH<br />
CENTRE'S DEVELOPMENT<br />
AND IMPLEMENTATION<br />
STUDY PARTICIPANTS WERE<br />
INTERVIEWED ABOUT THE<br />
PAST, PRESENT, AND<br />
FUTURE OF THE NCHC<br />
FINDINGS WILL INFORM<br />
PRACTICES OF THE NCHC<br />
AND HONOUR THE WORK OF<br />
COMMUNITY MEMBERS<br />
July 2022
What is <strong>the</strong> NCHC?<br />
The <strong>New</strong> <strong>Canadians</strong> <strong>Health</strong> <strong>Centre</strong> is a culturally<br />
responsive and respectful heath care initiative for<br />
refugees. It follows a community-driven approach<br />
to health care, with <strong>the</strong> involvement <strong>of</strong> a lived<br />
experience advisory committee informing and<br />
shaping <strong>the</strong> practices <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> health centre. A<br />
decade <strong>of</strong> advocacy by community organizations<br />
such as <strong>the</strong> Refugee <strong>Health</strong> Coalition, Catholic<br />
Social Services, <strong>the</strong> Edmonton Mennonite <strong>Centre</strong><br />
for <strong>New</strong>comers, and <strong>the</strong> Multicultural <strong>Health</strong><br />
Brokers Cooperative, with support from<br />
researchers and students from <strong>the</strong> University <strong>of</strong><br />
Alberta, secured funding to address <strong>the</strong> unmet<br />
health needs <strong>of</strong> newcomers and provide a safe<br />
space to create community.<br />
What is <strong>the</strong> project working<br />
on?<br />
We are currently documenting how <strong>the</strong> NCHC was<br />
developed to take care <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> health and well-being<br />
<strong>of</strong> refugees in Edmonton. The study is also<br />
soliciting <strong>the</strong> views <strong>of</strong> participants on current and<br />
future practices at <strong>the</strong> health centre, and <strong>the</strong><br />
resources required to sustain its implementation.<br />
Seven individuals were interviewed who were ei<strong>the</strong>r<br />
instrumental in <strong>the</strong> development <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> health<br />
centre, ei<strong>the</strong>r in research, advocacy, funding or<br />
partnerships, or are currently involved at <strong>the</strong><br />
operational level <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> health centre.<br />
The interviews are currently being transcribed<br />
and will be <strong>the</strong>matically analyzed using NVivo 12,<br />
a qualitative data analysis s<strong>of</strong>tware. The findings<br />
from this study will be shared in a report with all<br />
relevant stakeholders (NCHC staff, partners, and<br />
community members).<br />
Why is <strong>the</strong> project<br />
meaningful?<br />
<strong>Documenting</strong> <strong>the</strong> NCHC's journey is important for<br />
learning about its’ health initiatives development<br />
and honouring <strong>the</strong> work and dedication <strong>of</strong> many<br />
passionate community members towards a<br />
culturally responsive health system.<br />
The findings <strong>of</strong> this project will inform <strong>the</strong> health<br />
centre's management <strong>of</strong> its operations, and<br />
provide feedback and recommendations to <strong>the</strong><br />
management and board. They will support<br />
advocacy initiatives for <strong>the</strong> NCHC and contribute<br />
to <strong>the</strong> promotion <strong>of</strong> community-based health<br />
programs designed for refugee populations.<br />
Resources<br />
U <strong>of</strong> A Folio: The NCHC aims to help refugees<br />
thrive<br />
Refugee <strong>Health</strong> Coalition: Community<br />
Engagement Report<br />
Reference<br />
NCHC Evaluation Working Group. (February 14, 2022). NCHC Evaluation Framework Slides (living document) [Unpublished presentation].<br />
Acknowledgment<br />
We acknowledge <strong>the</strong> partnership and continuous support provided by <strong>the</strong> <strong>New</strong> <strong>Canadians</strong> <strong>Health</strong> <strong>Centre</strong>, <strong>the</strong> NCHC Evaluation and<br />
Research Committee, <strong>the</strong> primary investigator <strong>of</strong> this project, Tehseen Ladha, and co-investigator Rebecca Gokiert.<br />
July 2022