The Medicine Chest: A Physician's Journey Towards Reconciliation

by Jarol Boan

An examination of the barriers facing Indigenous people within the healthcare system from the perspective of an empathetic settler physician
 
After leaving her medical practice in Pennsylvania in 2011, Jarol Boan returned to her childhood home in Saskatchewan, Canada to practice medicine. There she found a healthcare system struggling with preventable chronic diseases and institutional racism. Shocked by the high rate of preventable diseases in her patients, Boan realized that a paternalistic deficit model does not support Indigenous communities. Through working to provide medical services in Indigenous communities and learning firsthand from her Indigenous patients, Boan embarked on a road to enlightenment and reconciliation.
 
In The Medicine Chest, Boan exposes the healthcare disparities in a country that prides itself on an equitable healthcare system and examines the devastating effects of diabetes, the myth of “the drunken Indian,” the inner workings of hospitals, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, epidemics on reserves, and residential school trauma. Exploring the intersectionality of common diseases and social determinants of health gained from her experience of caring for Indigenous patients, Boan weaves historical data, comments on health policy, and jurisdictional gaps into the narrative while investigating how Canada’s healthcare system is failing those most in need.
 

Genres: Nonfiction

328 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 26, 2024

Reviews

[Roberta Cox · Rating 3 out of 5]

My rating on this book was actually a 3.5 maybe because I was already knowledgeable about a lot of the indigenous content. However there was enough new information to keep me reading it to the end. The writing style was easy to read with the personal stories interspersed with educational information on past treatment of the indigenous and how to move toward reconciliation.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐

Very informational and interesting to read, especially for those interested or involved in medicine, Indigenous topics and reconciliation. At times it did become a little dry, especially when discussing medical details, etc. However they were informative nonetheless and I personally enjoyed learning more about the complexities and subtle/not so subtle differences found between Indigenous/Non-Indigenous healthcare.

[Karly · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5 Stars

This book is a must read for all healthcare workers in Canada. This was so so good and eye opening, I loved learning about the development of the wellness wheel and the experiences of this physician, and it was fun that she mentioned so many physicians that I know or know of as she worked in Regina.

Loved this one and definitely recommend!

[Sheila Leong · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW... I couldn't finish this book as I had to return it to the library.... I'm on the list to borrow it again. It's very informative.