Abstract
Traditional Indigenous Medicine (TIM) is an important component of Indigenous knowledge systems and approaches to health and healing. Despite national calls for reform—including the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action #24—TIM and broader Indigenous health content remain inconsistently integrated into Canadian undergraduate medical education (UGME), often limited to electives, brief lectures, or community placements. This study examines medical residents’ perspectives on how Indigenous health and TIM are addressed within UGME and explores opportunities to strengthen required classroom-based curricula. Medical residents are well positioned to reflect on the adequacy of their training as they transition from undergraduate education into independent clinical practice.
Using a mixed-methods cross-sectional design, a national anonymous online survey will be distributed to medical residents across specialties in Canada. Quantitative items will assess residents’ exposure to Indigenous health education, confidence in engaging with TIM in clinical practice, and perceived relevance of this knowledge to patient care. Qualitative open-ended responses will explore perceived curricular gaps, barriers to integration, and resident-identified strategies for improvement. Data will be integrated to generate a comprehensive understanding of resident perspectives. Findings will inform evidence-based recommendations for integrating TIM into required UGME curricula and strengthening culturally safe medical education. Ultimately, the study aims to support improved physician preparedness, respectful engagement with Indigenous healing practices, and progress toward reconciliation within Canadian health professions education.
Biography
Dr. Nikki Shaw, PhD, is a Professor of Biology at Algoma University and an Academic Health Informatician whose research focuses on equitable health systems, medical education, and the integration of Indigenous knowledge into health training. Her interdisciplinary work spans health informatics, epidemiology, biomedical ethics, and health services research, with particular attention to culturally safe care and health equity in Northern and rural communities. Dr. Shaw has secured more than $27 million in research funding and has supervised over 130 trainees across health and biomedical disciplines. In addition to her work at Algoma University, she currently serves as Research Tutor for Family Medicine residents at NOSM University (Medical School).
