Project Report
Weaving pathways: talking with our Elders
AUTHORS
Mary J Owen1 MD, Director 
Peter M Nalin2 MD, MBA, Department Head
Charlie A Bouverette3 MA, LGSW, Recent Graduate
Ginearosa Carbone4 Medical Student
Charles Neher5 Medical Student
Elisabeth Pederson6 Medical Student
Mangan Golden7 MA, Research Coordinator *
AFFILIATIONS
1, 7 Center for American Indian and Minority Health, University of Minnesota Medical School Duluth, Duluth, MN, USA
2 Family Medicine and Biobehavioral Health, University of Minnesota Medical School Duluth, Duluth, MN, USA
3 University of Minnesota, Duluth, MN, USA
4, 5, 6 University of Minnesota Medical School Duluth, Duluth, MN, USA
ACCEPTED: 27 October 2021
early abstract:
Introduction: This paper describes one model for bringing advance care planning and discussions to American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) communities.
Approach: In 2018, Honoring Choices of Minnesota approached the Center of American Indian and Minority Health (CAIMH), housed in the University of Minnesota Medical School, to collaborate on a project to increase healthcare directives in AIAN communities
Pilot Description: CAIMH assembled AIAN students, faculty and community members to identify and address barriers to healthcare directive completion and discussions about end-of-life choices. The project team decided upon a two-pronged approach: culturally informed provider training paralleling culturally relevant community engagement.
Rationale: The literature highlights that there exists a relative paucity of completed healthcare directives nationally, even fewer exist within minority populations. Therefore, a large portion of the U.S. population is vulnerable to subpar EOL care and at risk for misalignment between wishes and patient experience.
Impact: Follow-up evaluation in one tribal clinic showed that the number of healthcare directives and/or individuals with advanced care documents on file had increased by 18%.
Conclusion: We aimed to empower AIAN to engage with healthcare providers on decisions impacting their care. To further support AIAN patients and their providers, a toolkit was created and will soon be available for dissemination.