Envisioning the Future with Aboriginal Breast Cancer Survivors

Photovoice is a newly emerging participatory method of research. In this article, we discuss findings resulting from a photovoice project completed with young Aboriginal women who had experienced breast cancer. Three key interrelated themes linked to ethnicity, age, and identity, were particularly salient for the research participants. These are conceptualized as: (1) shame and silence; (2) resilience and strength; and (3) support. Résumé La photo-voix est une nouvelle technologie participative de recherche émergente. Dans cet article, nous discutons des conclusions qui résultent du projet de photo-voix complété par une jeune autochtone qui a souffert du cancer du sein. Trois thèmesclés étroitement liés à l'ethnicité, l'âge, et l'identité, étaient saillants pour les participantes à la recherche. Les trois sont conceptualisés ainsi: (1) la honte et le silence; (2) la résistance et la force; (3) le support

Embodiment and the Meaning of the “Healthy Body”: An Exploration of First Nations Women’s Perspectives of Healthy Body Weight and Body Image

Obesity and its associated health risks have been identified as areas of concern for First Nations women, however, very little is known about the cultural, gendered and historical meanings or experiences of healthy body weight and healthy body image from the perspectives of First Nations women. This article describes the first phase of a project that explores these issues from the perspective of First Nations women living in rural communities of the Battleford Tribal Council (BTC) region of Saskatchewan. We describe the start up phase of our community-based research program. We detail the processes involved in the development of our research team and the research project, including a community consultation (a sharing circle and focus group) that was held with six BTC women. We also describe the outcomes of the consultation, which was intended to provide an appropriate direction for our research program and to gain an understanding of BTC women’s perspectives on healthy body weight and body image. Through our analysis, we identify three interconnected themes related to perceptions of the “healthy body” in the context of BTC communities. These themes are: 1) the importance of Elder knowledge and traditional values in promoting community wellness; 2) the importance of understanding family history and the role of women; and 3) the need to better understand the practical aspects of purchasing and preparing healthy food. As such, we suggest that in order to enhance community programming related to healthy body weight and body image, it is essential to understand the ways in which First Nations women experience and give meaning to their bodies and the “healthy body” in the socio-cultural and historical context of the BTC communities. We also suggest that further exploration of these meanings with BTC women, analyzed with the concept of “embodiment”—which addresses the complex intersections between the physical body and the socio-cultural experiences of the body—will constitute an important second phase of our work

Anti-Oppressive Visual Methodologies: Critical Appraisal of Cross-Cultural Research Design

The purpose of this article is to draw critical attention to the use of photovoice as an anti-oppressive method in research with Aboriginal peoples. In response to the historical vulnerability of Aboriginal peoples to research that “wants to know and define the Other,” anti-oppressive methods deconstruct taken-for-granted research models and focus on privileging Indigenous voices, political integrity, and justice strategies. Anti-oppressive approaches are connected to emancipation and cannot be divorced from the history of racism. Theoretically, photovoice aligns well with anti-oppressive goals, using photographs and storytelling as a catalyst for identifying community issues towards informed solutions. Having roots in Freireian-based processes, photovoice has the goal of engaging citizens in critical dialogues and moving people to social action. Drawing on our recently completed photovoice study, Visualizing Breast Cancer: Exploring Aboriginal Women’s Experiences (VBC), we demonstrate that photovoice seems successful in enhancing critical consciousness among participants, but that outcomes may not be disruptive. While photovoice has the potential to develop counter-hegemonic anti-oppressive knowledge, this may be lost depending on how the research process is encountered; thus, we propose the implementation of a revisionary model which incorporates a culturally safe anti-oppressive lens

Exploring the Intersections of Storytelling and Visual Arts: Indigenous Peoples’ Experiences of Cancer

Known gaps in health and social care, largely stemming from colonization, result in poorer outcomes for Indigenous peoples with cancer as compared to non-Indigenous peoples. Also, few researchers have focused on the strengths of Indigenous peoples in dealing with such challenges. Of note is a lack of research exploring Indigenous knowledge in this context and the ways in which such knowledge may be conveyed through stories and visual arts. With a view to exploring Indigenous cancer experiences, we completed a qualitative project with five communities in Canada. Data were collected via sharing sessions, photography and journaling, and individual interviews; all of these methods resulted in stories that were selected and shared by the participants themselves in their own words. The intersections of storytelling and visual arts were interpreted, resulting in three themes: (1) Singing, painting, and drawing stories connects to tradition; (2) Crafting stories connects the traditional and contemporary; and (3) Sharing stories connects participants to others. The results of this study have implications for culturally safe health care for Indigenous peoples with cancer, but also for the exploration of storytelling and the visual arts in health care more broadly

Reflections from a Creative Community-Based Participatory Research Project Exploring Health and Body Image with First Nations Girls

In Canada, Aboriginal peoples often experience a multitude of inequalities when compared with the general population, particularly in relation to health (e.g., increased incidence of diabetes). These inequalities are rooted in a negative history of colonization. Decolonizing methodologies recognize these realities and aim to shift the focus from communities being researched to being collaborative partners in the research process. This article describes a qualitative community-based participatory research project focused on health and body image with First Nations girls in a Tribal Council region in Western Canada. We discuss our project design and the incorporation of creative methods (e.g., photovoice) to foster integration and collaboration as related to decolonizing methodology principles. This article is both descriptive and reflective as it summarizes our project and discusses lessons learned from the process, integrating evaluations from the participating girls as well as our reflections as researchers

Current status of simulation training in plastic surgery residency programs: A review

Increased emphasis on competency-based learning modules and widespread departure from traditional models of Halstedian apprenticeship have made surgical simulation an increasingly appealing component of medical education. Surgical simulators are available in numerous modalities, including virtual, synthetic, animal, and non-living models. The ideal surgical simulator would facilitate the acquisition and refinement of surgical skills prior to clinical application, by mimicking the size, color, texture, recoil, and environment of the operating room. Simulation training has proven helpful for advancing specific surgical skills and techniques, aiding in early and late resident learning curves. In this review, the current applications and potential benefits of incorporating simulation-based surgical training into residency curriculum are explored in depth, specifically in the context of plastic surgery. Despite the prevalence of simulation-based training models, there is a paucity of research on integration into resident programs. Current curriculums emphasize the ability to identify anatomical landmarks and procedural steps through virtual simulation. Although transfer of these skills to the operating room is promising, careful attention must be paid to mastery versus memorization. In the authors’ opinions, curriculums should involve step-wise employment of diverse models in different stages of training to assess milestones. To date, the simulation of tactile experience that is reminiscent of real-time clinical scenarios remains challenging, and a sophisticated model has yet to be established

First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Women's Experiences of Cancer Survivorship: Protocol for the National Picture Project

Little is known about First Nations, Inuit, and Métis (FNIM) women's experiences with cancer, including how they relate to cultural and social factors such as geography, history, racism, identity, traditional values/practices, and spirituality. Research into FNIM women's strengths and challenges in relation to cancer is much needed. Our team, in partnership with Saint Elizabeth Health, is documenting the experiences and needs of 60 FNIM cancer survivors across Canada, using sharing sessions, photography (photovoice), journaling, and film. We will evaluate the impact of photography and journaling on the participants to assist with the future development of supportive programs and health- care delivery. This innovative research will result in a video, which will address gaps in knowledge and care. The video will then be screened in several communities and will be publicly available. In future projects, the findings and video will be used in supportive programs for cancer survivors and in educational initiatives for health professionals