Title: Relational continuity in oral health care: A Qualitative study in a Northern Quebec Indigenous community
Abstract:
Background: Relational continuity of care is an essential function of primary health care. This manuscript reports from the perspectives of Northern Quebec First Nations community and its primary health care providers regarding the barriers and facilitators of relational continuity of oral health care.
Methods: A qualitative approach was used to conduct a research study in Cree community of Northern Quebec. Purposeful maximum variation sampling and snowball techniques were used to recruit the participants. One focus group discussion and 12 individual interviews were conducted until saturation was reached. Thematic analysis was conducted and involved transcription, debriefing, codification, data display and interpretation. The consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative studies (COREQ) guidelines were used for reporting this manuscript.
Results: Two major themes emerged from the thematic analyses for both barriers and facilitators. Themes for barriers included impermanence and lack of effective communication and those for facilitators included culturally competent professionals and working across professional boundaries.
Conclusions and recommendations: Relational continuity needs to be supported by a global continuity strategy, based on a global health perspective and intersectoral public health interventions. These strategies can be promoted by encouraging inter-professional collaboration and by engaging of primary health care and oral health care teams and community workers. Furthermore, organizing cultural competency trainings can help with the retention of permanent professionals.
