This research highlighted significant disparities in the occurrence, burden, and management of inflammatory arthritis among Indigenous populations in Canada. Indigenous communities face higher rates of inflammatory arthritis, leading to increased morbidity, disability, and reduced quality of life compared to non-Indigenous populations. Limited access to healthcare services, including rheumatology care, was found among our research studies, contributing to delayed diagnosis and less than optimal management of inflammatory arthritis among Indigenous individuals. These disparities were found to result in higher healthcare resource utilization, including hospitalizations and emergency department visits, and inflicted large societal costs related to productivity loss and disability support services.

Indigenous patients expressed a preference for holistic approaches to inflammatory arthritis care that incorporate both traditional healing practices and conventional pharmacological treatments. They emphasized the importance of culturally sensitive care, patient-provider communication, and shared decision-making in treatment decisions. Indigenous patients revealed their personal values in having access to comprehensive care that addresses physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of health.

We also conducted research on developing tools, such as patient decision aids, to facilitate shared decision-making between Indigenous patients and healthcare providers regarding inflammatory arthritis therapy. These tools aim to assist Indigenous patients in understanding their treatment options, weighing risks and benefits of these treatments, and aligning treatment choices with their preferences, expectations, and values.

Overall, the research findings underscore the importance of addressing health disparities, promoting culturally sensitive care, and enhancing patient-provider communication and shared decision-making to improve IA outcomes among Indigenous populations in Canada.