Culturally safe, trauma-informed care for Indigenous patients is a core expectation for all registrants, as outlined in CPSBC’s Indigenous Cultural Safety, Cultural Humility and Anti-Racism practice standard. A recent case reviewed by the Inquiry Committee highlights both the harms caused by generalization and the importance of humility and learning.
Case study
An Indigenous woman asked her family physician for blood glucose monitoring, citing her family history and the higher prevalence of diabetes among Indigenous people. Instead, she was met with resistance. The physician declined, saying she knew the risks from experience with Indigenous patients and felt testing was unnecessary.
The patient left feeling generalized, dismissed, and disempowered.
Case resolution
The Inquiry Committee emphasized that Indigenous peoples are not a homogenous group and registrants must take a distinctions-based, patient-centered approach when providing care. Each patient has unique needs, priorities, and experiences, and registrants are expected to listen and respond accordingly. In this case, the patient felt disempowered and unsafe because her concerns were dismissed and she was spoken to in generalized terms.
In the response, the registrant showed humility by reflecting on the harm caused, seeking further education, reviewing her documentation, and committing to changes in her practice.
Key takeaways
- Avoid generalizations: Recognize historical and ongoing impacts of colonialism, but treat each patient as an individual with unique needs and priorities.
- Practise humility: Cultural safety requires reflection on one’s own assumptions and openness to dialogue and shared decision-making.
- Commit to learning: Responding to missteps with self-reflection and education is essential to personal growth and better patient care.
CPSBC resources
Providing culturally safe care is a CPSBC requirement. Registrants are encouraged to review and be familiar with the Indigenous Cultural Safety, Cultural Humility and Anti-Racism standard and available resources:
