Wichitasowin Indigenous Patient Navigator for Young Adults

Wichitasowin: Indigenous Patient Navigator for Young Adults Study

This program will try an Indigenous-led patient navigator to help Indigenous young people (ages 16–25) with chronic conditions in Maskwacis move into adult healthcare more smoothly.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 20 (estimated)
• Ages: 16 Years to 25 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: University of Alberta (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Edmonton, Alberta)
• Trial ID: NCT06443190 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This community-driven program implements an Indigenous Patient Navigator (IPN) pathway co-designed with Maskwacis Elders, Knowledge Keepers, healthcare providers, caregivers, and youth with lived experience. Participants aged 16–25 who are Indigenous and need adult specialty follow-up will be offered culturally safe navigation, emotional and practical supports, connection to Elders and ceremonies, and help attending appointments. The pathway is delivered in partnership with Maskwacis community partners and the University of Alberta/Stollery Children’s Hospital and will track outcomes such as continuity of care, engagement with adult services, self-management skills, and feelings of anxiety or isolation. The study uses a community-based participatory approach to implement the program and measure whether the IPN improves transition experiences and prevents loss to follow-up.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are self-identified Indigenous youth aged 16–25 from Maskwacis (or originally from Maskwacis) with a chronic condition requiring adult specialty follow-up and at least a grade 6 reading level or participation alongside a caregiver for those with developmental delays.

Not a fit: People who are not Indigenous, who do not live in or originate from Maskwacis, or whose conditions do not require transition to adult specialty care are unlikely to benefit from this program.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the program could improve continuity of care, reduce anxiety and isolation, and increase self-management and engagement with adult healthcare for Indigenous youth transitioning to adulthood.

How similar studies have performed: Patient navigator models have shown benefits for care coordination and follow-up in other populations, but Indigenous-led, community co-designed navigator programs like this are relatively novel and less well studied.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* age 16-25 years;
* having chronic health condition of at least 3 months' duration that requires adult specialty follow-up care, including physical conditions (e.g., diabetes), mental health conditions (e.g., anxiety, depression), and/or developmental disorders (e.g., autism, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder);
* residing in Maskwacis or from the communities of Maskwacis but currently residing elsewhere;
* self-identified as an Indigenous person;
* reading level ≥ grade 6. For participants with developmental or intellectual delay (\< grade 6 reading level), they may take part in the program alongside their caregiver(s).

Exclusion Criteria:

* not identifying as Indigenous
* not residing in Maskwacis

Where this trial is running

Edmonton, Alberta

• Stollery Children's Hospital — Edmonton, Alberta, Canada (Recruiting)

Conditions Chronic Diseases in Adolescence; transition; Indigenous; community based participatory action research; health care navigator