Peer-reviewed article
Te Maatai Manawa a Whaanau: Maaori and Pacific People's Experiences of Echocardiography in Rheumatic Fever Health Care in Auckland, New Zealand.
Anderson A, Muliaumasealii M, Phillipson-Puna T, Webb R, Wilson N et al. ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This qualitative study explores how Māori and Pacific children and adolescents with rheumatic fever experience echocardiography services in Auckland, New Zealand. The research used Indigenous methodologies to interview 17 participants and their families about their healthcare experiences. Four main themes emerged: communication, engagement, access, and kaiāwhina (support). The findings aim to inform improvements to echocardiography services for these populations.
Key points
- Study used Indigenous Kaupapa Māori and Kakala qualitative methodologies
- 17 participants including children, adolescents and family members
- Four themes identified: communication, engagement, access, and kaiāwhina
- Research focused on barriers and facilitators to echocardiography services
- Findings intended to develop child, adolescent and family-focused models of care
Limitations
This is a qualitative study with a small sample (n=17) focused on a specific health condition and region, so findings may not generalise to other populations or settings. The document does not provide detailed findings on specific barriers and facilitators identified.
Abstract
Aims This research aimed to gain an understanding of rheumatic fever related echocardiography experiences from Indigenous Maaori and Pacific children, adolescents and their whaanau (family members) in the Counties Manukau region of Aotearoa New Zealand to improve these services. Method The study used qualitative Indigenous Kaupapa Maaori consistent and Kakala methodologies. The research was based in the Counties Manukau region of Auckland, New Zealand. Data was collected through interviews with Maaori and Pacific children and adolescents with rheumatic fever or rheumatic heart disease who had recently had echocardiograms and their whaanau. Data was analysed using a general inductive thematic analysis. Results Seventeen Participants Were Included in the Study. Four Themes Were Identified in the General Inductive Analysis: (1) Communication; (2) Engagement; (3) Access; (4) Kaiaawhina. Conclusion By identifying barriers and facilitators of echocardiography services for rheumatic fever, this research provided knowledge and insights that can assist in developing child, adolescent and whaanau-focused models of care that have the potential to improve patient experience and echocardiography services in Aotearoa New Zealand.