Volume 18 Summer 2007 Issue No. 4

In This Issue:
Health & Healing

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RESOURCE GUIDE

Preparing Native Health Professionals

By Edna Francisco

Native communities have not been getting quality and culturally sensitive health care. One solution to the problem may be to increase the number of Native American health professionals and researchers, but this challenge continues to be immense.

For instance, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges, Native Americans/Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians represented only 0.6% of 15,821 U.S. medical school graduates in 2004 -- a small number compared to Whites (64%), Asians (20%), Blacks (6.5%), and Hispanics (6.4%).

Various efforts -- from training programs to fellowships -- have been put into place nationwide to help recruit, prepare, and retain a new generation of Native American health care workers. This Resource Guide is for anyone involved in this mission.

Many of the resources listed below will be useful to Native American students who are interested in or are training for health careers. There are also resources for Native American and non-Native American health professionals and researchers who are interested in helping Native communities.

This is not a comprehensive guide. However, most of the resources have references and/or links that will lead to more information.

ONLINE RESOURCES

Medline Plus: Information on Native American Health
www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/nativeamericanhealth.html

MedlinePlus devotes a section of its website to health issues concerning American Indian and Alaska Natives, from HIV/AIDS and diabetes to alcoholism and drugs. The link leads to a wealth of reputable resources including the National Institutes of Health, other government agencies, and health-related organizations. Users will find recent news, research articles, statistics, ongoing and upcoming clinical trials, helpful information about Medicaid and Medicare, and even educational material for kids. They can also search for health services and providers closest to their homes. For comments, questions, or suggestions, go to the Medline Plus “contact us” webpage, or email custserv@nlm.nih.gov.

WWW Virtual Library – American Indians
www.hanksville.org/NAresources/indices/NAhealth.html

This website contains a nice list of organizations, publications, university programs, and online resources pertaining to Native American health. For more information, first check the site's “frequently asked questions” webpage.

Native Web
www.nativeweb.org

This website aims to provide resources for indigenous cultures worldwide. It lists books on health, healing, and recovery. It includes resources on diabetes, aging, substance abuse, mental health, and other health-related topics of concern to Native Americans. For questions, comments, or suggestions, go to the website's “contact us” webpage.

Health Sciences Library at SUNY Upstate Medical University www.upstate.edu/library/special/native_american.php

This library has a website that lists books and other resources on Native American health. Phone ( 315) 464-7087.

JOURNAL ARTICLES

Caldwell, J.Y., Davis, J.D., Du Bois, B., Echo-Hawk, H., Erickson, J.S., Goins, R.T., et al. (2005). Culturally competent research with American Indians and Alaska Natives: Findings and recommendations of the First Symposium of the Work Group on American Indian Research and Program Evaluation Methodology. American Indian and Alaska Native Mental Health Research: The Journal of the National Center, 12(1), 1-21.

Researchers, practitioners, and program evaluators suggest guiding principles to make research and program e valuation more cultural friendly.

Carlock, D. (2006). Native American health: Traditional healing and culturally competent health care internet resources [Abstract]. Medical Reference Services Quarterly, 25(3), 67-76.

The article lists valuable online resources concerning Native American health.

Hiestand, P. (2003). Resource Guide: Materials provide crucial information about diabetes and American Indians. Tribal College Journal, 15(2): 34-36.

The guide offers a listing of videos, websites, magazines, and cookbooks.

Hollow, W.B., Patterson, D.G., Olsen, P.M., & Baldwin, L. (2006). American Indians and Alaska Natives: How do they find their path to medical school? [Supplement]. Academic Medicine, 81, S65-S69.

This study looks into the experiences of 10 American Indians and Alaska Natives as they embark on a career in medicine.

Jones, D.S. (2006). The persistence of American Indian health disparities. American Journal of Public Health, 96, 2122-2134.

The author explores explanations as to why health disparities continue to exist.

Lopez, N., Wadenya, R., & Berthold, P. (2003). Effective recruitment and retention strategies for under-represented minority students: Perspectives from dental students. Journal of Dental Education, 67, 1107-1112.

The authors highlight factors that under-represented minority, dental students consider when selecting dental schools to attend and the kind of support they need to complete their programs.

Roubideaux, Y. (2005). Beyond Red Lake: The persistent crisis in American Indian health care.New England Journal of Medicine, 353, 1881-1883.

The author talks about her experience working as an American Indian physician at an Indian Health Service hospital in Arizona.

Towle, A., Godolphin, W., & Alexander T. (2006). Doctor-patient communications in the Aboriginal community: Towards the development of educational programs. Patient Education and Counseling, 62, 340-346.

The study examines communication experiences between doctors and Aboriginal people in Canada. The authors offer physicians suggestions on how to improve care.

Two Feathers, J. (1999). A Resource Guide: Native American health promotion and disease prevention. Tribal College Journal, 11(1), 39-42.

This guide offers several Native American-specific resources concerning various health problems. It lists programs, organizations, videos, articles, and online resources.

Warne, D. (2006). Research and educational approaches to reducing health disparities among American Indians and Alaska Natives. Journal of Transcultural Nursing, 17, 266-271.

The article highlights challenges to improving the health of Native Americans --more specifically, the obstacles to conducting health research and educational programs. The author offers suggestions to help find solutions.

DISSERTATIONS

Lande, N.C. (2005). Words, wounds, chiasms: Native American health care encounters. Unpublished master’s thesis, Montana State University, Bozeman. Retrieved January 13, 2007, from www.montana.edu/etd/available/lande_0505.html

The study examines miscommunications between Native Americans and non-Native Americans in health care facilities on Indian reservations.

Martinez, D.E. (2003). The medicine way: Native American women’s understanding and “doing” of medicine [Abstract]. Dissertation Abstracts International, 64 (02), 674A. Retrieved January 13, 2007, from wwwlib.umi.com/dissertations/fullcit/3081637

A Native American researcher shares results from her in-depth interviews with 11 Native American women.

Trenfield-Joyner, M.G. (2006). The university experience: Perspectives of Native American nurses. Unpublished master’s thesis, Montana State University, Bozeman. Retrieved January 13, 2007, from www.montana.edu/etd/available/trenfield-joyner_0506.html

The author reveals obstacles that three Native American nursing students faced while completing their baccalaureate nursing programs and how they overcame these challenges.

ORGANIZATIONS

Aboriginal Nurses Association of Canada(ANAC)
www.anac.on.ca/

This nonprofit organization is the only Aboriginal professional nursing organization in Canada. ANAC’s website caters to those in the health profession, especially nurses in Canada. The website provides up-to-date news, scholarship and award information, as well as announcements for upcoming events (conferences and workshops), job opportunities, recent publications, and professional development opportunities from other organizations, colleges, universities, agencies, institutes, and foundations in Canada. Phone (613) 724-4677.

American Public Health Association (APHA)
www.apha.org/

APHA is an organization of public health professionals that seeks to eliminate health disparities. In recent years, APHA produced a couple of resources that are focused on American Indian and Alaska Native health: a book published in 2006, Strategies for cultural competency in Indian health care , by Mim Dixon and Pamela E. Iron; and the May 2005 issue (Volume 95, Issue 5) of APHA’s journal, the American Journal of Public Health. Phone (202) 777-2742.

Association of American Indian Physicians (AAIP)
www.aaip.org/

This nonprofit organization caters to the needs of American Indian and Alaska Native physicians. AAIP’s website has a job center and offers information about scholarships, fellowships, and other professional development opportunities. It also talks about various AAIP programs that are devoted to improving the health of Native communities and preparing future generations of Native American health professionals. Moreover, the website is linked to associations that will be of interest to Native Americans who are pursuing or already in dentistry, medicine, and health research careers. Email aaip@aaip.com, or phone (405) 946-7072.

CENTERS/PROGRAMS

American Indian/Alaska Native MS-to-PhD Nursing Science Bridge

In partnership with the University of North Dakota and University of Oklahoma, this program at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities helps master’s of science students in nursing transition to doctoral programs. The goal of the program is to prepare Native American nurses for research careers. Contact Sue Henly at henly003@umn.edu or (612) 624-0431.

For additional information, read about the program in a recent article: Henly, S.J., Struthers, R., Dahlen, B.K., Ide, B., Patchell, B., & Holtzclaw, B.J. (2006). Research careers for American Indian/Alaska Native nurses: Pathway to elimination of health disparities. American Journal of Public Health, 96, 606-611.

Center for American Indian and Minority Health (CAIMH)
www.caimh.org/

Housed within the University of Minnesota Medical School ( Twin Cities and Duluth campuses), CAIMH has several programs, from kindergarten to medical school level, that motivate and prepare Native Americans for medical and health careers. The center also provides fellowships for American Indian and Alaska Native health professionals. Phone (218) 726-7235 ( Duluth office) or (612) 624-0465 (Twin Cities office); email Joy Dorscher at jdorsche@d.umn.edu.

Four Directions Summer Research Program
www.fdsrp.org/index.htm

For more than a decade, Harvard Medical School has been offering this summer program to young Native American undergraduates who are interested in pursuing health care, medical, and research careers to help care for underserved Native American communities. The program exposes students to scientific research and Native American health issues. It helps prepare students for the medical school, school of public health, and graduate school application process. Phone (617) 432-4422, or email info@fdsrp.org.

For additional information, read about the program in a recent article: Sequist, T. D. (2005). Paving the way: Providing opportunities for Native American students. New England Journal of Medicine, 353, 1884-1886.

Hispanic and Native American Center of Excellence at University of New Mexico School of Medicine
http://hsc.unm.edu/som/excellence/

T his center works to produce more minority -- including Native American -- healthcare providers, researchers, and medical school faculty. Training and support is provided for undergraduate students, medical students, and junior faculty. Phone (505) 272-1419.

Indians into Medicine (INMED) at University of North Dakota
www.med.und.edu/depts/inmed/index.html

INMED offers training and guidance for Native American students who want to pursue careers in medicine. Summer programs/sessions are offered to junior high, high school, and college students. Community college students and professional school students also benefit from the program. Academic retention services and INMED’s student organization are in place for support. Phone (701) 777-3037, or email inmed@medicine.nodak.edu.

Kids into Health Careers (KIHC)
www.bhpr.hrsa.gov/kidscareers

Established by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration, KIHC is an initiative that aims to expose economically and educationally disadvantaged and under-represented minorities to health professions. It targets young kids from kindergarten to high school. KIHC’s approach is to make students, parents, guidance counselors, teachers, and administrators aware of the need for a more diverse health workforce.

KIHC’s website provides references and information for anyone who wants to explore the different kinds of health jobs out there and the various means of affording a college education. Email kidscareers@hrsa.gov, or phone (301) 443-2100.

Native American Center of Excellence at University of Washington School of Medicine
http://faculty.washington.edu/dacosta/nacoe/nacoehome.html

Through its Indian Health Pathway program, this center trains American Indian, Alaska Native and non-Native medical students who are interested in improving health care for the Native community. The center also has an organization called the Medicine Wheel Society that offers networking opportunities for the students, faculty, alumni, and friends. Email Polly Olsen at polly@u.washington.edu, or call (206) 616-8731.

For additional information, read about the center in a recent article: Acosta, D. & Olsen, P. (2006). Meeting the needs of regional minority groups: The University of Washington’s programs to increase the American Indian and Alaskan Native physician workforce. Academic Medicine81, 863-870.

Recruitment & Retention of American Indians into Nursing (RAIN)
www.nursing.und.edu/rain/

RAIN works to support American Indian nursing and pre-nursing students at the University of North Dakota (UND). It provides students mentors for sciences and writing, tutoring, advisement and counseling, and financial assistance. It also helps American Indian students who come from tribal and community colleges adjust to campus life at UND. Phone (701)777-3224.

Edna Francisco works as a freelance writer. She has written career-related articles for Minority Scientists Network and worked as an intern for the journal Science and for Science News magazine. She currently serves as administrative support for minority research training programs at California State University Northridge. She can be reached at eofrancisco@nasw.org.