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Abstract

This research analyzes the integration of the Indigenous Patient Navigator (IPN) role within British Columbia's health systems, with a focus on Interior and Northern Health, guided by the Systematic Equity Action-Analysis framework. The study critically analyzes how integrating the IPN role aligns with organizational equity goals and, more broadly, explores how health systems can better advance equity in integrating Indigenous healthcare roles. Additionally, the study brings to light ways for health systems to align the IPN role integration with broader organizational equity objectives. The research employs a theoretical framework that grounds a systematic equity analysis in a philosophy where integrating Indigenous knowledge with critical Western frameworks challenges dominant worldviews and advances equity. This approach deepens the understanding of the research by considering two different worldviews to gain a clearer understanding of equity and how to integrate Indigenous healthcare roles equitably. The study analyzes the role integration of IPN using qualitative document content analysis, situated within an exploratory literature review. It seeks to identify promising practices and barriers to role integration, as well as similarities and differences in integration practices when compared to other special healthcare provider integration processes, such as the Participatory Evidence-based, Patient-focused, Process (PEPPA) and the PEPPA Plus frameworks for the Advanced Practice Nurse (Bryant-Lukosius & Discenco, 2004; Bryant-Lukosius et al., 2016). It aims to systematically explore coherence between stated intentions and the operationalization of role integration, with attention to factors that facilitate or hinder coherence. By examining how Interior and Northern Health operationalize equity goals through IPN role integration, this research generates actionable recommendations to enhance IPN role integration and align the way health systems integrate the IPN role with their equity goals and commitments. Overall, this work contributes to the broader understanding of how health systems can support reconciliation and advance equitable processes and practices that support health initiatives, such as integrating Indigenous healthcare roles that improve health outcomes for Indigenous populations.