Systematic Review of Published and Grey Literature Evidence to Inform the Development of an Analytical Framework and the Deployment of Telehealth/E-Health Initiatives on First Nation Reserves

Principal Investigator: Josée Lavoie

The objective of this project is to develop an appropriate framework to assess the feasibility, sustainability and suitability of telehealth/e-health interventions on First Nation reserves. This will be pursued in 2 phases. First, we will conduct a systematic review of the grey and published literature, focusing on the following dimensions: satisfaction by service users and providers; impact on human resources; performance of telehealth interventions; and cost-effectiveness with a focus on the economic feasibility for meeting the health care needs for First Nations on reserve and improving health outcomes (societal analysis). This review of the evidence will serve to generate a draft First Nation-specific framework, (1) to assess the feasibility, suitability and sustainability of telehealth interventions, and (2) to inform how these may best integrate into routine health care practices in place in British Columbia First Nations reserves. Second, this framework will require validation through discussions with BC First Nations, the Telehealth Migration Specialists from the Mandated Aboriginal Health Authorities and other e-health technical advisory groups. We are planning to engage a BC First Nation planning team to oversee the process, and to bring together key BC First Nation stakeholders to workshop the draft framework for adjustments and validation. This project is funded by the MSFHR.