Partners: Noojmowin Teg Health Centre
Funder: ECHO: Improving Women’s Health in Ontario
Description
The broad goal of this project was to improve women’s health – particularly as it relates to benign uterine conditions – through knowledge transfer.
Building on the goals of the Benign Uterine Conditions (BUC) initiative (www.benignuterineconditions.ca), joint project of the Ontario College of Family Physicians (OCFP) and the Centre for Effective Practice (CEP), and funded by the former Ontario Women’s Health Council (OWHC), the project promoted best practices in the management of benign uterine conditions by primary care practitioners.
This current project aimed to address disparities in hysterectomy rates which have been noted across Ontario, particularly in Aboriginal women. These disparities were identified in ‘Achieving Best Practices in the Use of Hysterectomy’, (OWHC Report) an expert panel’s report on evidence-based recommendations for best practices in the management of discretionary indications for hysterectomies. Focus group discussions conducted with Aboriginal women in Northern Ontario revealed that women often feel as if hysterectomies are imposed, and that they are not allowed an adequate role in decision-making regarding the treatments, hysterectomy among them, available for benign uterine conditions. Women who felt as if they had an adequate role in treatment decision-making were more satisfied with the outcomes of their treatment.
This project attempted to provide women with the information they need to make informed decisions about common uterine conditions.
This pilot involved the adaptation of patient education material on two topics: “Understanding Hysterectomy” Hysterectomy” and “Pelvic Support Problems”. These materials were originally created for the BUC initiative. Tools were developed for use in three formats:
• Printed handouts in English, Ojibwe and Oji-Cree
• A printed “pictogram” tool featuring illustrations plus simplified written information, in English
• Audio recordings in English, Ojibwe and Oji-Cree
From July to October 2010, these materials were used by Nurse Practitioners serving Anishinabek and Aboriginal individuals and families in First Nations and off-Reserve communities on Manitoulin Island. Patients participating in the project were asked to self-report how useful they found the various tools and whether or not these tools helped them to better understand these medical conditions.
Tools
Pictogram Handouts
Pictogram – Understanding Hysterectomy
Pictogram – Pelvic Support Problems
Text Handouts
Text - Understanding Hysterectomy: English, Ojibwe, Oji-Cree
Text - Pelvic Support Problems: English, Ojibwe, Oji-Cree
Audio Files
Audio - Understanding Hysterectomy: English, Ojibwe, Oji-Cree
Audio - Pelvic Support Problems: English, Ojibwe, Oji-Cree
Page last updated December 14, 2010
