TBRHSC/TBRHRI: Health Equity Survey

Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) is currently conducting a survey to better understand the healthcare needs of Black people within our community, in order to develop a Black Health Action Plan that is in alignment with Ontario Health. We would like to invite you to participate.

This survey is voluntary and will be kept strictly confidential. Please do not identify yourself in your responses, or share any Personal Health Information (PHI). This information will be used internally at TBRHSC for the purposes of quality improvement.

Background Information

1.Which of the following best describes you? (Select all that apply)

Member of the general public

Healthcare staff

Healthcare learner or student

Community organization staff or volunteer

Other (please specify):

2.Do you identify as Black? (For example: African, Caribbean, African Canadian, Afro-Caribbean, and Black Canadian)

Yes

No

Prefer not to say

3.Which area best describes where you live or work?

Thunder Bay

Northwestern Ontario (outside Thunder Bay)

Northern Ontario (outside Northwestern Ontario)

Other (please specify)

Access to Healthcare

5.Which healthcare services do you think are hardest to access for Black people? (Select all that apply)

Other (please specify)

Experiences of Racism in Health Care

7.In what ways do you think systemic racism shows up in the healthcare system? (Select all that apply)

Differences in the quality of care

Long waits or delays for treatment or referrals

Care that is not culturally safe or respectful

Negative assumptions or bias from providers

Limited collection or use of race-based data

I have not observed this / Not sure

Other (please specify):

Reporting Racism and Accountability

8.Do you know how to report racism at TBRHSC?

Yes

No

Not sure

9.If someone reported racism, how confident are you that it would be taken seriously?

10.How effective do you think current efforts are at addressing racism in healthcare?

11.What do you think makes it hard for people to report racism in healthcare? (Select all that apply)

Fear of not being believed

Fear of negative consequences or retaliation

Reporting processes are unclear

Past experiences where nothing changed

Not knowing where or how to report

Feeling that racism is “normal” or accepted

Not applicable / Not sure

Other (please specify)

Culturally Safe and Equitable Care

12.What would help make healthcare better and more equitable for Black people? (Select all that apply)

Required training for staff to understand racism and provide respectful, culturally safe care

Collecting information about patients’ race and background in a respectful way, and using it to improve care

Working more closely with Black communities when designing programs and services

Having more Black leaders involved in healthcare decision-making

Clear and fair ways to report racism and ensure it is addressed

Better support to help Black patients and families understand and move through the healthcare system

Other (please specify):

Best Practices and Priorities

13.Are you aware of any programs, services, or practices that support Black health or equity in care?

Yes

No

Not sure

If yes, please describe the program, service, or practice:

14.From your view, what should be the main priorities of a Hospital Black Health Action Plan at TBRHSC? (Please think about what would most improve access, quality of care, and health outcomes for Black people)

Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey. Your responses are appreciated!