Research Themes

The research themes for IPHRC developed in the original ACADRE proposal as a requirement for ACADRE funding were:

• 1) Health services and policy: Provincial consultation found that access to health care and improvements to provincial health care services remain a central research priority for Saskatchewan Indigenous groups.
• 2) Complex interaction of factors that determine the health of populations: First Nations and Métis groups have identified determinants of health as a research priority in need of immediate attention.
• 3) Mental health and addictions: Mental health, distress and addictions remain a research priority for Saskatchewan First Nations and Métis peoples, including research examining Indigenous healing and resilience.
• 4) Ethics and research governance: IPHRC will continue to build robust research methodologies and conceptual frameworks that will ensure equitable relationships between Indigenous people and university researchers.
• 5) Chronic disease: Saskatchewan First Nations and Métis people identify chronic diseases, particularly diabetes, cancer and heart disease as priority research areas.

The emphasis in these research theme areas is on health research, rather than medical research, and a community-based approach is emphasized and fostered.

As IPHRC has grown and evolved, additional key areas have been identified through community-based research and consultation with Indigenous communities. The IPHRC Strategic Plan, renewed in 2006, reflects key areas that incorporate the original research themes as well as recognizing community development, ethics, appropriate delivery, control and governance of health services, health policy, determinants of health, knowledge translation, capacity building, and Indigenous models or methods as key themes that need to be addressed in health research in Saskatchewan.