Note from the Editor

CrossCurrents

Rural Canada is a diverse economy and society, from its rugged coasts to its agrarian heartland. It inspires a proud cultural identity for the country as celebrated by our artists and writers. It's easy to romanticize Canada's remote lands, but from a health care perspective the reality isn't so appealing. The huge expanse, the great distance between communities and isolation present unique challenges. Health care practitioners, services and infrastructure are in short supply. The population is small and disproportionately older. Household incomes are lower than in urban settings, and unemployment, poverty and substance use rates are high.

The Focus section stories in this issue examine some of these challenges and the creative ways in which rural - and urban - communities are attempting to overcome them. Helen Buttery describes an innovative health care education program aimed at boosting recruitment to rural communities. Astrid Van Den Broek examines the ethical and practical challenges involved in working in small communities where the boundaries between professional and personal life are blurred. Cindy McGlynn discusses how telepsychiatry is breaking down access barriers to pediatric care in rural and remote communities.

Expanse, distance and isolation are not the only challenges for service providers and residents in these regions. As some of the feature stories show, health care practitioners must also be sensitive to issues of language and culture, particularly in relation to First Nations communities. Dr. Michael Jeavons describes his 22 years of psychiatric outreach experience with an Ontario First Nations reserve. Andrea Zoe Aster and Deborah Etsten each discuss the importance of providing culturally relevant care to address suicide and solvent abuse among Aboriginal youth.

We always welcome your input to CrossCurrents. Let us know how we are doing. Or write a letter to the editor expressing your thoughts on our stories.

Hema Zbogar
tel 416 595-6714
hema_zbogar@camh.net

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