SynthesisInternational journal for equity in health2025
Implementing healthcare decolonisation for Indigenous people: a systematic review.
Synthesis in International journal for equity in health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
1 citing paper in PubMed.
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
13 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundThe Western biomedical system, rooted in colonialism, holds Western science as the only universally valid knowledge system. While it has been justified as an objective approach to improve health, it has failed to address health inequities for Indigenous communities. There is increasing recognition of the need to decolonise healthcare, but its practical application remains unclear. This study systematically reviewed global literature to explore what decolonising healthcare means in practice.
methodsA systematic search of published and grey literature was conducted across CINAHL, Embase, PubMed, Scopus, Google and reference lists for studies on decolonising health services for Indigenous peoples. Two reviewers independently screened and extracted data from eligible studies. Quality was appraised using the Joanna Briggs Institute's tool for systematic reviews and the Consolidated Criteria for health research involving Indigenous peoples. Data analysis and presentation followed an inductive thematic approach, refined through discussions with authors and external members who identify as Indigenous community members.
resultsFifteen studies from Canada, Australia, Aotearoa (New Zealand), the United States, Chile, and South Africa met the inclusion criteria, all reporting qualitative data. Key elements of decolonising healthcare included community governance, holistic care, relationality and trust, storytelling, reflexive practice, and colonisation-informed care. These were underpinned by cultural, ontological, axiological, and epistemic equity, along with shared power, essential for their decolonial nature. Studies identified barriers and facilitators to decolonising healthcare, reflecting broader structural factors. Reported outcomes included increased patient satisfaction, empowerment, and trust in services.
conclusionDecolonising healthcare requires acknowledging colonialism within healthcare systems and fostering medical encounters with equity between Western and Indigenous ways of knowing, being, and doing. Genuine community-informed partnerships and leadership from Indigenous communities are essential for developing and evaluating services aligned with Indigenous health, well-being, and healing paradigms. REGISTRATION: PROSPERO ID: CRD42024495407.
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