INFORMING AN INUIT ONLINE MODULE USING TYPE-2 DIABETES MELLITUS AS AN EXEMPLAR

Abstract

Inuit have long-held concepts of self-preservation that directly relate to individual and collective well-being. However, there has been little research conducted to reveal how Inuit culture and history gained from community sources could benefit the development of an Inuit health curriculum in medical training for non-Inuit physicians. A culturally relevant medical education curriculum for non-Inuit physicians requires an in-depth syllabus that describes present-day Inuit experiences and contains perspectives that originate from Inuit healing systems is crucial. To help provide a solution, this research study was conducted using a storytelling methodological framework to inform the development of an Inuit online module for the provision of cultural safety, using type-2 diabetes (DM2) as an exemplar. The conversational method was employed to engage Inuit Elders and community members to share stories and inform the design of an online module that incorporates Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit/ ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᖃᐅᔨᒪᔭᑐᖃᖏᑦ (traditional knowledge). The study goals were to create an online module and also, a process of engagement that can be useful for other decolonizing education projects that address Inuit health, wellness, and approaches for community partnerships with medical teaching and research institutions.