How do we create How do we create healthy Francophone healthy Francophone

communities in Ontariocommunities in OntarioThe French Connection: an The French Connection: an

OHPRS EventOHPRS Event

Toronto, September 26, 2008Toronto, September 26, 2008

Réseau des services de santé Réseau des services de santé en en français de l’Est de français de l’Est de l’Ontariol’Ontario

Réseau de santé en français Réseau de santé en français du Moyen Nord de l’Ontario du Moyen Nord de l’Ontario

Réseau Francophone de santé Réseau Francophone de santé du du Nord de l’OntarioNord de l’Ontario

Réseau franco-santé du Sud Réseau franco-santé du Sud de l’Ontario de l’Ontario

The Four French Language The Four French Language Health Networks in OntarioHealth Networks in Ontario

To ensure that all Francophones in To ensure that all Francophones in Ontario have access to a full Ontario have access to a full range of quality health care range of quality health care

programs and services in French programs and services in French which meet their needswhich meet their needs

French Language Health Networks French Language Health Networks GoalGoal

Cultural barriers and quality of servicesCultural barriers and quality of services

Links between language and accessLinks between language and access Links between language and quality Links between language and quality

of servicesof services Links between culture and quality of Links between culture and quality of

servicesservices

An example…An example…

Cultural competence is necessary in all Cultural competence is necessary in all client encounters. “The ability to construct client encounters. “The ability to construct culturally competent relationships with culturally competent relationships with patients throughout their lives is key to patients throughout their lives is key to managing these more loaded situations managing these more loaded situations with less panic, fear, and distress.” [8] with less panic, fear, and distress.” [8] Because everyone has a cultural identify, Because everyone has a cultural identify, cultural competence must be applied to cultural competence must be applied to everyone.” everyone.”

An example…An example…

Culture influences the accuracy of assessment and the effectiveness of services or treatment. If social workers, therapists, doctors, and teachers are ignorant of the client’s culture, they may make incorrect assumptions about what is causing a problem and provide inappropriate services.

A Framework for the futureA Framework for the future

Promotion and preventionPromotion and prevention

Conditions for successConditions for success

Over the long term, increased Over the long term, increased participation of the citizens in participation of the citizens in matters pertaining to their matters pertaining to their health is KEY to improve the health is KEY to improve the health status for Francophone health status for Francophone communities across the communities across the provinceprovince

How do we create How do we create healthy Francophone healthy Francophone

communities in Ontariocommunities in OntarioThe French Connection: an The French Connection: an

OHPRS EventOHPRS Event

Toronto, September 26, 2008Toronto, September 26, 2008