EVALUATION OF THE ONTARIO COMMON ASSESSMENT ... - CCIM

OCAN Evaluation for Aboriginal Mental Health Programs
Fit of OCAN with Aboriginal Culture
Workers challenged the notion that OCAN is a valid and reliable tool in indigenous populations. The OCAN
has a clearly “Western and clinical feel” and workers feel they have to “sell somebody else’s culture when
they implement OCAN” with their Aboriginal clients. One workers stated: “If it was designed to truly fit the
Aboriginal communities then it would work, but if you take a Western tool and implement it in First Nations
then you have missed the boat, and are implementing a tool that does not fit”.
Workers were in agreement that OCAN would need some adjustment to fit with Aboriginal clients and their
worldview. Workers suggested that OCAN could be adapted to the Aboriginal concept of the medicine
wheel, to show clients how the wheel might be off balance when certain aspects are lacking. This approach
would also support the visual learning orientation of many Aboriginal clients, and allow them to see where a
healthy balance is lacking in their lives.
Some workers felt that the idea of asking clients to rate the many domains of information upon intake is not
compatible with clients’ culture, particularly since the questions are seen as intrusive. “It is a foreign idea.”
Further, the OCAN as an “assessment tool” seems to resonate negatively with clients who view this as a means
only of describing in almost clinical fashion a listing of deficits. Some suggested that clients might be more
receptive to participate if the OCAN was described or depicted as a “personal wellness inventory” and the
domains structured around the “medicine wheel” concept. A medicine wheel, which is also broad and holistic
would be more accepted, because the approach is more familiar.
Overall though workers did appreciate the broad spectrum of information collected with OCAN and believed
that it has the potential to capture aspects that might otherwise be overlooked.
Two questions were seen as particularly problematic: (1) the question on sexual expression and (2) the
question on psychotic symptoms. The question on sexuality is often too intrusive for Aboriginal clients, although
it might be significant. The worker needs to be skilled and know when and how to approach this subject. The
question on psychotic symptoms needs to be carefully explored within the context of Aboriginal culture.
Aboriginal spirituality can be expressed or experienced through visions or voices, and great care must be
taken not to confuse this with psychotic symptoms.
Some workers felt that all references to immigration status should be removed for use with indigenous
populations.
Sutherland & Maar - March 2010 Page 33