here. - Canadian Women's Health Network

Women, Income andHealth in Manitoba75differences between womanand care provider, and seek todevelop a partnership with her inaddressing her health issues.Most AppropriateCaregiver and ServicesEvery effort is made to ensure thatwomen receive the most appropriateservice, provided by the mostappropriate service provider, in themost appropriate location. Womenmay access services through avariety of avenues and routes ofentry as appropriate to their particularsituation and needs. Services andapproach offered may includeinformation, education, supportthrough groups or individualcounselling, medical treatments,health screening, advocacy,community action, as well aslinkages with the secondary, tertiary,rehabilitation and long term care orother sectors. Services sensitivelyaddress a wide range of issues(such as sexuality, childhood sexualabuse, violence) which have not beenadequately addressed by health careproviders in the past and try to ensurethat appropriate care is provided.Team ApproachWomen’s Health Clinic staff are madeup of an interdisciplinary team ofhealth care providers who workcollaboratively and includeprofessional, paraprofessionaland volunteer staff.EmpowermentPrograms and services are designedto enhance the understanding, selfcare,self-help and self-advocacyabilities of the woman. This isachieved by:1. providing a wide range ofaccessible information andeducation services with a keyrole being played by the Clinic’sResource Centre, as well assupport and training servicesbased on adult educationprinciples;2. facilitating the development ofunderstanding and skills throughsocial action groups aroundissues of concern to womensuch as breast implants, newreproductive and genetic technologiesor birthing options; and3. structuring the Clinic to includea system of participatorymanagement and involvementof community members inagency decision-makingand evaluation processes.Use of Peer VolunteersPeer volunteers play a key role inpromoting the empowerment ofclients through modelling self-helpskills, demystifying medicalinformation, and bringingcommunity perspectives to thedesign and delivery of services.Therefore, Women’s Health Clinicprovides training to women ofvarious backgrounds in order toenable them to develop informal andformal helping and leadership skillsin the provision of health information.Community InvolvementWomen’s Health Clinic works inpartnership with variouscommunities concerned aboutthe health of women, building onthe strengths and interests of itspartners, including volunteers,clients, service providers or othermembers of the community.Evaluation andCost-EffectivenessWomen’s Health Clinic recognizesthe importance of ongoing reviewand evaluation of the approaches