Relocating for specialized care: exploring First Nation patient experiences

Abstract

This thesis explored the experiences of patients from the Moose Factory and Moosonee area who travel to larger urban cities for medical appointments. The main objectives of this project were to have a greater understanding of the patient experience in having to travel for medical appointments, as well as understand the strengths and challenges that patients face before, during, and after a trip to a larger city for a medical appointment. The study also provided participants an opportunity to envision approaches to improve patient experiences. Through open-ended interviews with 10 participants, a number of themes were explored in relation to a patient’s experience prior to attending an appointment, during an appointment, and returning home from an appointment. Most notably, the themes that were discussed in great length by many of the participants included issues with travel arrangements, transportation services, and food arrangements. The results of this study were translated from patient experiences in travelling for medical appointments into recommendations that could be used by the local First Nation leadership to advocate for improvements to the healthcare system that affects their community members. These recommendations also are helpful to the local health authority that currently serves patients in the Moose Factory and Moosonee region.