Improving Outcomes from Pain Management Programmes in Aotearoa New Zealand: Hearing The Voices of Māori
Authors List
Jones, D. K., Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand
Mowat, R. M., Department of Nursing, Auckland University of Technology, Aotearoa New Zealand
Lewis, G. N., Health and Rehabilitation Research Centre, Auckland University of Technology, Aotearoa New Zealand
Cook, C., Department of Nursing, Auckland University of Technology, Aotearoa New Zealand
Introduction
There are inequities for Māori in relation to chronic pain, including a disproportionate prevalence of chronic pain, a greater impact of pain, and reduced benefit from chronic pain services in the long-term. Māori have a holistic orientation to health that incorporates spiritual, relational, and environmental dimensions. This worldview shapes experiences of pain and pain management. However, these views may not be incorporated in current pain management programmes.
Aim
To determine the experience of Māori who had attended a 3-week pain management programme run in a bicultural urban centre in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Method
An interpretive descriptive methodology was used. Six participants were individually interviewed regarding their experiences of attending the programme. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, coded, and the data analysed using thematic analysis.
Results
Four themes were developed. The programme provides respectful care described the caring, supportive nature of the programme, which contrasted with previous negative experiences with the healthcare system. Education enables tino rangatiratanga [self-determination] described how the provision of knowledge facilitated participants to make their own healthcare choices. Whanaungataunga [relationship] is valued as much as pain-specific content described the value of the social and relational aspects of the programme. Where is the tikanga? described the lack of traditional Māori protocols and health views, which meant the programme was experienced as medical and Western-oriented.
Conclusions
Recommendations for change were centred around providing options for patients to engage with traditional treatments, incorporation of tikanga, and promoting ongoing social connections with both the clinic and the patient’s local community.
Jones, D. K., Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand
Mowat, R. M., Department of Nursing, Auckland University of Technology, Aotearoa New Zealand
Lewis, G. N., Health and Rehabilitation Research Centre, Auckland University of Technology, Aotearoa New Zealand
Cook, C., Department of Nursing, Auckland University of Technology, Aotearoa New Zealand
Introduction
There are inequities for Māori in relation to chronic pain, including a disproportionate prevalence of chronic pain, a greater impact of pain, and reduced benefit from chronic pain services in the long-term. Māori have a holistic orientation to health that incorporates spiritual, relational, and environmental dimensions. This worldview shapes experiences of pain and pain management. However, these views may not be incorporated in current pain management programmes.
Aim
To determine the experience of Māori who had attended a 3-week pain management programme run in a bicultural urban centre in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Method
An interpretive descriptive methodology was used. Six participants were individually interviewed regarding their experiences of attending the programme. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, coded, and the data analysed using thematic analysis.
Results
Four themes were developed. The programme provides respectful care described the caring, supportive nature of the programme, which contrasted with previous negative experiences with the healthcare system. Education enables tino rangatiratanga [self-determination] described how the provision of knowledge facilitated participants to make their own healthcare choices. Whanaungataunga [relationship] is valued as much as pain-specific content described the value of the social and relational aspects of the programme. Where is the tikanga? described the lack of traditional Māori protocols and health views, which meant the programme was experienced as medical and Western-oriented.
Conclusions
Recommendations for change were centred around providing options for patients to engage with traditional treatments, incorporation of tikanga, and promoting ongoing social connections with both the clinic and the patient’s local community.
