Experiences of healthcare access during the Covid-19 pandemic in remote Indigenous communities in Northwest Territories, Canada
Bibliographic Data
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted healthcare access globally through restrictions aimed at limiting virus transmission. Using a cross-sectional design, this project explored perceived barriers to and facilitators of healthcare access during the pandemic in remote Indigenous communities in Northwest Territories (NWT), Canada. Convenience sampling was utilised to recruit self-identifying Indigenous adults (≥18 years) within 10 NWT communities. Information was collected through an interviewer-administered questionnaire exploring experiences with, barriers to, and facilitators of healthcare access during the COVID-19 pandemic. Among the 287 participants (mean age 41.63 years; 66.55% women), 17.42% reported having avoided healthcare service utilisation during COVID-19 due to the risk of exposure. Of participants with a current prescription, 15.73% reported difficulty accessing prescription medications. Some partcipants (7.69%) reported difficulty accessing traditional medicines and healers. The participants reported that many services were disrupted by shortages of healthcare providers, service delays and cancellations, public health measures, and medical travel disruptions. A total of 35.89% of participants utilised virtual care, and while many found it was convenient for certain needs, some reported that it was inadequate. The findings highlight the perceived challenges to healthcare access in NWT during the pandemic. These challenges are closely tied to the healthcare context in the region, which depends heavily on medical travel and visiting specialist clinics.
barriers to care · COVID-19 pandemic · health care access · healthcare provider shortage · Indigenous peoples · Medical tourism · Northwest Territories · prescription medication access · public health measures · remote communities · Traditional medicine · virtual care · COVID-19 and healthcare impacts · Indigenous Health, Education, and Rights · Telemedicine and Telehealth Implementation
Global Challenges to Public Health Care Systems during the Covid-19 Pandemic
Challenges faced by health policymakers responding to Covid-19 in remote communities in Northwest Territories, Canada
Delay in seeking health care from community residents during a time with low prevalence of Covid-19
High Adherence to Covid-19 Public Health Preventive Measures in Indigenous Communities in the Canadian Northwest Territories
Indigenous Health Inequities Arising From Inadequate Transfer Systems for Patients With Critical Illness
Community Capacity Building and Sustainability
Revisiting rural healthcare access through Held’s ethics of care
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