IMLA is committed to advancing Indigenous health research by supporting Indigenous-led inquiry, uplifting Indigenous voices in academia, and promoting research that is grounded in community priorities. Through our connections with faculty and researchers working in Indigenous health, we help connect Indigenous medical learners to meaningful research opportunities and mentorship. Many of our members are actively conducting research in areas such as Indigenous health, health equity, and community wellness, and IMLA works to highlight and support this work whenever possible. IMLA members also contribute to research governance and ethics by sitting on Research Ethics Boards (REBs), helping ensure Indigenous perspectives are represented in research review and decision-making.
Research
The role of food as part of person-centred palliative care: An exploratory ethnographic study.
This study explored how food contributes to person-centred palliative care by engaging patients, caregivers, staff, and food services decision-makers in a palliative care unit in Ottawa, Canada. Using ethnographic fieldwork, interviews, observations, and creative methods, researchers identified three key themes: the evolving role of food throughout the palliative care journey, communication gaps between food services and care teams, and the need for providers to be better equipped to discuss changes in eating with patients and families. The authors recommend improving communication skills and collaboration between palliative care teams and food services to better meet patients’ needs.
Wicks, V., Philip, S., Warbrick, M., Li, W., Bandk, K., Hector, A., Caissie, D., Lawlor, P., Yeung, J., & Kehoe MacLeod, K. (2025). The role of food as part of person-centred palliative care: An exploratory ethnographic study. Palliative Care and Social Practice, 19, Article 26323524251364281. https://doi.org/10.1177/26323524251364281
Social accountability in medical school admissions: A scoping review of how social mission mandates are operationalized and their impact.
This scoping review examines how medical schools operationalize social accountability mandates within their admissions processes and assesses reported impacts of these practices. The review maps the different strategies institutions use to align admissions with social mission goals and highlights how adopting socially accountable admissions can influence learner diversity and address community needs.
Land, S. A., & Land, H. C. (2025). Social accountability in medical school admissions: A scoping review of how social mission mandates are operationalized and their impact. Medical Education, 00(00), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1111/medu.70130
Academic Stressors and Sociodemographic Vulnerabilities Among Medical Students at the University of Ottawa
A cross-sectional survey of University of Ottawa medical students (May–August 2024) using the Medical Student Stress Questionnaire found overall moderate stress levels, with academic-related stressors such as high workload, pressure to perform, and frequent exams being most prominent. Preclinical students reported higher stress across all domains, while male students, students with disabilities, and those living with family demonstrated higher stress in specific areas. These findings highlight the need for both universal and targeted interventions to support learner well-being and equity in medical education.
Land, S. A., Land, H. C., Linders, J. N., Julien, A., & Haykal, K.-A. (2026). Academic stressors and sociodemographic vulnerabilities among medical students at the University of Ottawa (Vol. 16 Issue 4). MedEdPublish. https://doi.org/10.12688/mep.21466.1
Research Highlights