In February 2022, the Indigenous Cultural Safety, Cultural Humility and Anti-racism practice standard came into effect to address the prevalence of inequity and Indigenous-specific racism in British Columbia (BC)’s health-care system.
Developed in collaboration between the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCN&M) and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC (CPSBC), the practice standard sets clear expectations on how to provide culturally safe and anti-racist care for Indigenous patients.
To date; however, it is estimated that 40% of physicians are unaware that the standard exists.
UBC CPD is dedicated to bringing awareness to the standard by helping health professionals in rural communities build skills and co-create community-driven Indigenous cultural safety and education.
Core concepts and principles
The practice standard communicates six core concepts with principles to which BC physicians are held:
- self-reflective practice (it starts with me)
- building knowledge through education
- anti-racist practice (taking action)
- creating safe health-care experiences
- person-led care (relational care)
- strengths-based and trauma-informed practice (looking below the surface).
To increase the number of rural physicians who have practical knowledge on trauma-sensitive practice, UBC CPD offers education that meets provincial regulations and this practice standard. Take the learning activities in our Indigenous Patient Led (IPL) program.
Trauma-sensitive practice curriculum
The Nawh Whu’nus’en: We See in Two Worlds – Trauma-Sensitive Practice Curriculum program weaves together Indigenous ways of knowing with western trauma theory and neuroscience.
The program is delivered in three progressive levels:
Level 1: an online introductory workshop to:
- address why trauma-sensitive practice is important
- introduce foundational concepts in land-based healing and neuro decolonization
- explore implications of polyvagal theory and co-regulation
Level 2: an online in-depth series to dive deeper into:
- trauma-sensitive care and somatic practice
- practice of self-regulation
- case studies and more
Level 3: in-person, land-based training is in development to provide:
- nation-specific training developed in collaboration with and direction from Elders and community members.
Since development, UBC CPD has facilitated 492 participants through our Nawh whu’nus’en – We see in two worlds, IPL trauma and resilience-informed curriculum for rural and rural-serving providers.
Registration is now open for the The Nawh Whu’nus’en: We See in Two Worlds – Trauma-Sensitive Practice Curriculum level one workshops on November 7, 2024 and January 29, 2024.