
QI PROGRAM HISTORY
FORGE AHEAD
The Transformation of Indigenous Primary Healthcare Delivery (FORGE AHEAD) program was launched in response to the growing awareness and understanding of how type 2 diabetes impacts Indigenous populations in Canada. The program created space for community-based participants from eleven First Nations communities to take leading roles in designing and implementing healthcare initiatives that reflected their unique needs, priorities, and concerns. It was a five-year program that supported the local QI teams during their assessment of available healthcare resources and the level of quality of care within their communities to generate testable ideas to create widespread improvements.
FIRST NATION PARTNERS
Tsuut'ina First Nation
Cree Nation of Waskaganish
Maskwacis
Saugeen First Nation
Ebb and Flow First Nation
Cowichan Tribes
Seabird Island Band
Mishkeegogamang Ojibway Nation
Miawpukek First Nation
Kahnawake Mohawk Territory
Opaskwayak Cree Nation
Program Objectives
Assess current healthcare delivery, funding models, and best practices used in First Nations communities in Canada.
Assess community and clinical readiness to address and adopt chronic disease care.
Enhance patient access to available community resources for chronic disease care.
Implement, evaluate, and cost community and clinical QI initiatives to improve chronic disease management.
Develop sustainment strategies and scale-up toolkits for improved chronic disease management.
Key Outcomes
REDUCTION in blood pressure and LDL cholesterol
REDUCTION in A1c
INCREASED measuring for A1c, blood pressure, and LDL cholesterol
INCREASED screening for diabetes nephropathy
INCREASE in clients receiving Canadian guideline recommended care services
Publucations
SOAR: PATHWAY TO WELLNESS
This sister program to FORGE AHEAD was designed to test out adaptations and improve care for people living with diabetes. The name and logo were developed by the community partners.
FIRST NATION PARTNERS
Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation
Oneida Nation of the Thames
Abegweit First Nation
Serpent River First Nation
Program Objectives
Engage community partners and stakeholders to support meaningful participation and leadership.
Review, improve, and adapt the diabetes quality improvement strategy with community partners.
Evaluate the effectiveness of the adapted diabetes quality improvement strategy.
Develop community-driven plans for sustainability and scale-up for the adapted diabetes quality improvement strategy.