First Nations: ER triage scores in Alberta

A study conducted by Patrick McLane, Cheryl Barnabe, Leslee Mackey, Lea Bill, Katherine Rittenbach, Brian R. Holroyd, Anne Bird, Bonnie Healy, Kris Janvier, Eunice Louis and Rhonda J. Rosychuk found that First Nations people in Alberta recieved different triage scores than other populations. According to the researchers, “Systemic racism, stereotyping and differential access to health care resources (especially primary care), as well as factors such as communication and level of patient trust in the health care system, may all contribute to differences in triage scores between First Nations and non–First Nations patients.”

Click here to read the study.

Why Do Words Matter?

Undoubtedly, there are occasions when we cannot find the right word to use, use the wrong one or are at a total loss of words. To some people and in some situations, such a word error may be seen as no big deal. However, this may not be the case, as Lorna Kay Thomas discusses in her blog post, “A Small Victory: Changing the CBC’s use of “drug abuser.”

Disparity in Healthcare?