Our New Neighbours:
Communicating to Ensure
Optimal Pharmaceutical Care
Welcome
We will begin shortly.
Pharmacy Practice Innovative Webinar Series Sponsored by:
Kelsey Dumont
Anan Ahmed
Interim Federal Health Program
Visit the Pharmacy Association of
Saskatchewan’s website skpharmacists.ca/pharmacists/fundedservices/interim-federal-health-program-
Learning Objectives
Demonstrate an understanding of Canadian
immigration statistics
Summarize the population profile for Syrian refugees
 Utilize various tools and resources to improve
communication with patients
Canadian Immigration Statistics
Total immigrants received in 2014 – 260,404
Economic immigrants – 165,089 (63.4%)
Skilled workers, entrepreneurs, investors
Family class – 66,661 (25.6%)
Spouses, partners, children, parents
Refugees – 23,286 (8.9%)
Government-assisted, privately sponsored, landed in Canada
Other immigrants – 5,367 (2.1%)
Humanitarian and Compassionate, temporary resident permit holders
Category not stated – 1 (0%)
Canadian Immigration Statistics
Top source countries for refugees 2005-2014:
1. Columbia (18,036)
2. China (16,059)
3. Sri Lanka (12,861)
4. Pakistan (11,381)
5. Haiti (8,532)
Total refugees 2005-2014: ~150,000
 Note: 26,207 Syrian refugees have arrived to Canada since December 2015
Syrian Population Profile
Language
90% Arabic
46% resettled in 2014 spoke one of Canada’s
official languages
Literacy
84% are literate
Religion
87% Muslim
10% Christianity
3% Druze
Syrian Population Profile
AGE OF SYRIAN REFUGEES
>65 years
3%
1-14 years
34%
25-64 years
48%
15-24 years
15%
Syrian Population Profile
General Health Concerns or Conditions
Mental Illness, Trauma, and Sexual Violence
Most prevalent health concern, especially in youth
Sexual violence, or threats of, major concern before fleeing and while in
asylum countries
43% of Syrian refugees were categorized under the Survivor of Violence
and/or Torture category by the UN
Prior to crisis, negative stigma surrounding mental illnesses in Syria
Syrian Population Profile
General Health Concerns or Conditions
Vaccinations
Many will not have documentation or records
Many refugees susceptible to vaccine-preventable diseases, especially young
children
Mass vaccination for polio and measles in Jordan, Turkey, Iraq, and Lebanon
2013 - estimate of numbers received is not available
Communicable and Non-Communicable Disease
Non-communicable: respiratory tract infections, UTIs, diarrhea, skin
infections, eye and ear infections
Communicable: Tuberculosis (0.1%), Hepatitis C (~1%), HIV (0.1%)
Syrian Population Profile
Canadian Health Care
Barriers to Health Care:
Lack of familiarity with Canadian health care system
Preventative health
Prenatal health care
Fear and distrust of a new health care system
Cultural differences
Language differences
Overcoming Language Barriers
Online Translation Support
Medline Plus: Health Information in Multiple Languages
Available in almost 50 languages
https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/languages/languages.html
Health Information Translations
Broad health topics such as pregnancy, breastfeeding and infant care
Available in 20 languages
https://www.healthinfotranslations.org
Overcoming Language Barriers
Online Translation Support
Pictogram Software
 Includes translated medication information such as drug name, route,
and instructions
 http://www.fip.org/pictograms
Overcoming Language Barriers
App Support for Smartphones
“Google Translate” (iPhone and Android)
Uses a trackpad for manual writing or keyboard for typing
Has audio translation for those that are illiterate
Can use camera to scan text and will translate into desired language
“Health Symptoms Translator” (iPhone and Android)
Helpful when gathering information from the patient, especially for OTC products and
prescribing
Program contains pre-set list of various symptoms based on location of body
No typing required
“iHandy Translator” (iPhone) and “Instant Translator” (Android)
Translates sentences into desired language using keyboard for typing
Overcoming Language Barriers
Google Translate
Health Symptoms
Translator
iHandy Translator
Overcoming Language Barriers
Additional Translation Resources
Local interpreter assistance
Health information phone lines
Drug information services
Health Regions
English/Arabic Leaflets
Medication assessment leaflet
Medication prescribing leaflet
Medication instruction leaflet
https://www.skpharmacists.ca/pharmacists/funded-services/interim-federal-health-program-
Additional Resources
Welcoming Syrian Refugees - Resource for Pharmacists
Resource page developed by Canadian Pharmacy Association
 http://www.pharmacists.ca/advocacy/advocacy-activities/syrian-refugees-resources-for-pharmacists/
Providing Pharmaceutical Care to Migrant Populations 2015: Information and
Guidelines for Pharmacists and the Pharmacy Workforce
Published by International Pharmaceutical Federation
 http://fip.org/files/fip/emergencies/MigrantsGuidelines.pdf
The College of Family Physicians of Canada – Refugee Health Care
Links to various resources
 http://www.cfpc.ca/Refugee_Health_Care/
Additional Resources
Caring for Kids New to Canada
A guide for health professionals working with immigrant and refugee children
Lists various resources nationally and provincially
 http://www.kidsnewtocanada.ca/beyond/resources
Refugee Health – Vancouver
Guidelines, mental health toolkits, translated patient handouts, etc
Population profiles and resources based on selected country
 http://refugeehealth.ca/
CAMH – Refugee Mental Health Project
Aims to build healthcare providers knowledge and skills regarding refugee mental health
Self-directed online courses, toolkit of resources, webinars, monthly e-newsletters, etc.
 https://www.porticonetwork.ca/web/rmhp
Questions
• Please contact Kristina Allsopp at
cpd@pharmacists.ca
Upcoming
Pharmacy Practice Webinars
Topic: To be announced soon
Date: April 2016
Registration opening soon
Thank you!
• This presentation will be available online at
http://www.pharmacists.ca/index.cfm/education-practiceresources/professional-development/pharmacy-practicewebinars/
• Thank you to Pfizer for sponsoring this Pharmacy Practice
webinar series.