Our Focus

Our research is dedicated to fostering culturally safe care by delving into the significance of cultural competence, respect, and sensitivity in improving health outcomes. We investigate the effects of diverse backgrounds and identities on healthcare practices, aiming to contribute to more inclusive and equitable healthcare delivery. This exploration underscores the vital role of cultural awareness in enhancing patient care and outcomes.

 

Description of the Research

Fasting during the month of Ramadan is a fundamental practice for healthy Muslims and involves abstaining from food and drink from dawn to dusk for 29 to 30 consecutive days annually. The consumption of adequate nutrients during the non-fasting hours is important for energy maintenance and overall health. Given that 1 in 20 Canadians are Muslim, ensuring access to culturally safe care is essential for overall health. The recent inclusion of the mandatory cultural safety competency within the Integrated Competencies for Dietetic Education and Practice (ICDEP) underscores the need for dietitians to provide culturally safe care. Our scoping review revealed research gaps regarding the knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) of healthcare providers, particularly dietitians, in providing culturally safe care to Muslims observing Ramadan. To fill this research gap, we will investigate Canadian dietitians’ baseline KAP concerning the provision of culturally safe care to Muslims fasting during Ramadan. Using a mixed-methods approach, we will gather quantitative data through an online-cross sectional survey of dietitians’ KAP. Qualitative data will be collected through online focus groups with dietitians from various practice areas, to further investigate the barriers and opportunities to provide culturally safe care during Ramadan. The data will provide valuable information for developing targeted health promotion initiatives and appropriate training for dietitians. The overarching goal of the study is to enhance dietitians’ competence and confidence in the delivery of culturally safe care and in turn, enhance equitable healthcare for Muslims who fast during Ramadan.

Who We Are: Introducing Our MSc Research Student

Mrs. Katherine Hillier

Katherine is a registered dietitian and a master's of science student at the University of Saskatchewan under the supervision of Dr. Vatanparast at the Vatanparast Nutrition and Epidemiology Lab. Katherine’s masters research is the first national study in Canada investigating dietitians knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) concerning the provision of culturally safe care to Muslims who fast during Ramadan.

As a Muslim, Katherine has been fasting during Ramadan for over a decade. She has served as a community dietitian and public health nutritionist, with a focus on Indigenous communities. With a passion for empowering dietitians to become competent and confident providing culturally safe care to Muslims who fast, she has presented at the national Dietitians of Canada (DC) conference, as well as to prospective dietitians at the University of Saskatchewan and University of Idaho on safe care during Ramadan. Through pre-Ramadan workshops, Katherine has shared practical tips to help Muslims eat and live well while fasting.

Supervisor

Dr. Hassan Vatanparast

Hassan Vatanparast is a Professor in the field of nutritional epidemiology at the College of Pharmacy and Nutrition and School of Public Health, University of Saskatchewan.

Committee Members

Dr. Ginny Lane	Dr. Mohsen Nematy
Ginny Lane is an Assistant Professor of Nutrition at the University of Idaho and a registered dietitian.	Mohsen Nematy is a Professor in the Department of Nutrition at Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Iran. He is also the Editor-in-Chief of the "Journal of Nutrition, Fasting and Health".

Health Sciences Bldg

104 Clinic Place

College of Pharmacy & Nutrition

University of Saskatchewan

Saskatoon SK Canada S7N 2Z4

E-mail: vnel@usask.ca

Website: https://research-groups.usask.ca/vnel/nutrition-and-growth.php

Ph: (306) 966-8866