The importance of voice: American Indian experiences with their healthcare

American Indians and Alaskan Natives (AIAN) have faced inequity and discrimination since colonization. Specifically, within the healthcare system, AIAN individuals have experienced maltreatment, poor quality services, and the dismissal of cultural and personal practices. Health disparities among this population have led to the highest prevalence in many chronic disease categories nationwide (Laffey et al., 2021). A qualitative study with nine respondents was conducted using virtual interviews. Respondents were recruited through healthcare agencies and snowball sampling. Interviews focused on the experiences of American Indians in the Midwest United States with their primary care provider or in a hospital within the last two years. The analysis identified 7 themes using an inductive thematic approach: access barriers, affective response, communication, health empowerment, subjugation, systemic disparities, and therapeutic relationships. Overall, respondents discussed how systemic disparities had shaped their relationship with their healthcare providers. Implications of this study highlight the need for improvements in healthcare for AIAN patients. Recommended actions include more research on healthcare disparities, education for providers, and culturally safe practices to foster trust.