CPSBC has released a new public resource to accompany its Indigenous Cultural Safety, Cultural Humility, and Anti-Racism practice standard. The resource clearly communicates what culturally safe, anti-racist care looks like from a patient perspective.
The resource reinforces licensees’ professional responsibilities under the standard and provides accessible language that can support conversations with patients and care teams. It also features illustrations by Haida artist Andrew Williams.
Why this resource matters
The Indigenous Cultural Safety, Cultural Humility, and Anti-Racism practice standard sets expectations for all physicians and surgeons in BC. CPSBC recognizes that for the standard to meaningfully support trust and accountability, patients must also understand what they can expect when accessing care.
To ensure the resource reflected lived experience rather than institutional assumptions, CPSBC partnered with Indigenous patients from across the province, along with the CPSBC’s director of cultural safety and humility, and an Elder and Knowledge Keeper. Their input shaped the content of the resource and the way it was developed. This collaborative approach acknowledged the longstanding harms Indigenous people have experienced in health-care settings and prioritized creating a culturally safe space for dialogue.
How to use this resource in practice
Licensees are encouraged to review this resource together with the practice standard, share it within their clinics, use it to support conversations about culturally safe care, and reflect on how its themes apply in their own practice settings. Socializing the resource can help strengthen shared expectations, accountability, and trust in care relationships.
Questions about this public resource may be directed to communications@cpsbc.ca.