CTN 301: DRUM

About The Study

The DRUM Study strives to understand and improve health and well-being outcomes for people living with HIV or vulnerable to HIV in First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities. This program builds upon a previous, CIHR-funded project entitled Aboriginal Community Resilience to HIV/AIDS (ACRA).

About The Disease

There are several reasons for initiating the DRUM study. It is well known that within Canada, many First Nation, Métis, and Inuit communities have unmet health needs. To address these health needs and to expand existing programs, health care must be integrated into the community. Participation of community members in the care process is vital, not only for the effectiveness of programs, but for relationship-building and for the creation of service models that may be adapted for other communities.

Study Approach

The study will integrate culturally-relevant prevention, treatment, and care of HIV and related conditions using a shared-care model (SCM). A SCM refers to a partnership between community members and clinicians, researchers, and health providers where patients are empowered to become involved in their health and care. The study team is made up of local, regional, and national policy makers, community members, and health service network leaders, as well as researchers and clinicians. The DRUM SCM will focus on both people living with HIV and related conditions and HIV prevention.

The objectives of DRUM are to:

1. develop the SCM,
2. build capacity to provide and support care, and
3. assess the feasibility, impact, and outcomes of the SCM.