Observations by and Conversations with Health Workers and Hospital Personnel Involved in Transferring Māori Patients and Whānau to Waikato Hospital in Aotearoa New Zealand

Bridgette Masters-Awatere, Donna Cormack, Rebekah Graham and Rachel Brown
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Bridgette Masters-Awatere: School of Psychology, University of Waikato, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand
Donna Cormack: Te Kupenga Hauora Māori, University of Auckland, Wellington 1010, New Zealand
Rebekah Graham: Parents of Vision Impaired New Zealand, Hamilton 3242, New Zealand
Rachel Brown: Whakauae Research Services, Whanganui 4500, New Zealand

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 23, 1-13

Abstract: The predominant focus of Aotearoa New Zealand’s public health system on biomedical models of health has left little room for meaningful engagement with holistic indigenous approaches. Culturally appropriate provision and support are recognized for their relevance and importance during hospital transferals. Hospital staff involved in transfers to one of New Zealand’s trauma centers share their observations of whānau Māori engagement during an admission away from their home base. Sixteen key informants share their experiences, which are presented as strategies and challenges to whānau engagement. Three main themes highlight challenges within the health system that make it difficult for hospital staff to engage whānau in the desired ways and as often as both parties would like. Key informants described services and practices that are not designed with patients and their whānau in mind; instead they are designed by clinicians around the needs of administrative systems. As employees within the public health system, key informants felt powerless to challenge dominant settings. Nevertheless, employees managed to circumnavigate processes. Our findings highlight the need for continued decolonization and anti-racism work within public health settings.

Keywords: public health; Māori; hospital; ambulance; clinician; qualitative (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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