. 2025 Dec;84(1):2513726.

doi: 10.1080/22423982.2025.2513726. Epub 2025 Jun 5.

A field-test of Not Deciding Alone to support Inuit with health decision making: co-production of a mixed methods study guided by aajiiqatigiingniq

Janet Jull^{1

2}, Kimberly Fairman^{3

4}, Aimo Akulukjuk⁵, Felicia Adelaja⁶, Parniga Akeeagok⁷, Tina Akpalialuk⁸, Ida Davidee⁹, Mackenzie Daybutch¹⁰, Treena Greene¹¹, Brittany Hesmer¹², Louisa Kipsigak¹³, Theresa Koonoo¹⁴, Kelly Morrisey¹⁵, Rachel Nungnik⁶, Carolyn Roberts¹⁶, Jemimah Thomas⁶, Meeka Uniuqsaraq¹⁷, Malaya Zehr¹⁸

Affiliations

¹ Department of Health Sciences, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
² Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada.
³ School of Public Health and Social Policy, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada.
⁴ Research Associate, Institute for Circumpolar Health Research, Yellowknife, NT, Canada.
⁵ Territorial Community Health Representative, Department of Health, Government of Nunavut, Pangnirtung, NU, Canada.
⁶ Ontario Inuit Cancer Program, Tungasuvvingat Inuit, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
⁷ Manger of Patient Relations, Department of Health, Government of Nunavut, Iqaluit, NU, Canada.
⁸ Director of Client Services, Patient Relations, Department of Health, Government of Nunavut, Iqaluit, NU, Canada.
⁹ Inuit Interpreter Team OHSNI (Ottawa Health Services Network Inc.), Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
¹⁰ Indigenous Cancer Program, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
¹¹ Family Physician and Regional Physician Lead with Indigenous Cancer Program Indigenous Cancer Program, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
¹² Not Deciding Alone Team, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
¹³ Territorial Community Health Representative, Department of Health, Government of Nunavut, Iqaluit, NU, Canada.
¹⁴ Territorial Community Health Representative Coordinator, Department of Health, Government of Nunavut, Iqaluit, NU, Canada.
¹⁵ Resolution Health Initiatives, Healing and Wellness Department, Tungasuvvingat Inuit, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
¹⁶ Indigenous Patient Nurse Navigator, Indigenous Cancer Program, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
¹⁷ Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
¹⁸ Larga Baffin, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

PMID: 40470906
PMCID: PMC12143011
DOI: 10.1080/22423982.2025.2513726

A field-test of Not Deciding Alone to support Inuit with health decision making: co-production of a mixed methods study guided by aajiiqatigiingniq

Janet Jull et al. Int J Circumpolar Health. 2025 Dec.

. 2025 Dec;84(1):2513726.

doi: 10.1080/22423982.2025.2513726. Epub 2025 Jun 5.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Department of Health Sciences, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
² Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada.
³ School of Public Health and Social Policy, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada.
⁴ Research Associate, Institute for Circumpolar Health Research, Yellowknife, NT, Canada.
⁵ Territorial Community Health Representative, Department of Health, Government of Nunavut, Pangnirtung, NU, Canada.
⁶ Ontario Inuit Cancer Program, Tungasuvvingat Inuit, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
⁷ Manger of Patient Relations, Department of Health, Government of Nunavut, Iqaluit, NU, Canada.
⁸ Director of Client Services, Patient Relations, Department of Health, Government of Nunavut, Iqaluit, NU, Canada.
⁹ Inuit Interpreter Team OHSNI (Ottawa Health Services Network Inc.), Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
¹⁰ Indigenous Cancer Program, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
¹¹ Family Physician and Regional Physician Lead with Indigenous Cancer Program Indigenous Cancer Program, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
¹² Not Deciding Alone Team, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
¹³ Territorial Community Health Representative, Department of Health, Government of Nunavut, Iqaluit, NU, Canada.
¹⁴ Territorial Community Health Representative Coordinator, Department of Health, Government of Nunavut, Iqaluit, NU, Canada.
¹⁵ Resolution Health Initiatives, Healing and Wellness Department, Tungasuvvingat Inuit, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
¹⁶ Indigenous Patient Nurse Navigator, Indigenous Cancer Program, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
¹⁷ Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
¹⁸ Larga Baffin, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

PMID: 40470906
PMCID: PMC12143011
DOI: 10.1080/22423982.2025.2513726

Abstract

Shared decision-making supports person-centred care. Our team of Inuit-led and/or -focused organizations and researchers field-tested a strategy called Not Deciding Alone to support health decision-making. Guided by aajiiqatigiingniq, a principle of collective decision-making and consensus-building, we co-produced a mixed-methods study to: (1) train Qikiqtani region community health representatives (CHRs) with a workshop, (2) develop a radio show and survey, and (3) assess the radio show with Inuit community members in the health system. We evaluated participant experiences using forms, case studies, and an online survey. The workshop was delivered to 13 CHRs; seven (54%) provided evaluation data. All (100%) reported positive experiences with the content, activities, and facilitation. One (14%) said the workshop was too short; four (57%) agreed there was enough discussion time. Six (86%) reported new learning. Three radio show events were held with 33 survey respondents, the majority women (n = 25, 76%). Most found the show informative (n = 29, 88%) and helpful for future decision-making (n = 27, 82%), and said it would improve their confidence (n = 27, 82%). Not Deciding Alone was found to be an acceptable, useful, and relevant strategy for supporting health decision-making among Inuit community members.

Keywords: Inuit; aajiiqatigiingniq; collaborative research; decision coaching; integrated knowledge translation; mixed methods; shared decision making.

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Conflict of interest statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Figures

**Figure 1.**
Shared decision making process framework (version 2).

**Figure 3.**
Sarah’s story (Inuktitut).

**Figure 6.**
Simon’s story (Inuktitut).

See this image and copyright information in PMC

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A field-test of Not Deciding Alone to support Inuit with health decision making: co-production of a mixed methods study guided by aajiiqatigiingniq

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A field-test of Not Deciding Alone to support Inuit with health decision making: co-production of a mixed methods study guided by aajiiqatigiingniq

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