RESUMO
AIM: To explore kaumatua attitudes towards physician aid-in dying, to gain a clear understanding of how such attitudes may influence and shape their expectations of medical care at the end of life and to assist health professionals in Aotearoa/New Zealand to address the healthcare needs of older Maori near the end of life. DESIGN: A kaupapa Maori consistent approach was undertaken. A systematic narrative technique was employed for the qualitative data analysis. Data were triangulated through independent data coding by three researchers (two of whom identified as Maori researchers), to ensure a robust and consistent method of analysis as well as adhering to a kaupapa Maori research approach. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: Recruitment of participants was through kaumatua of Te Kupenga Hauora Maori (Maori leadership within the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences), University of Auckland and local Auckland marae. Focus group or individual interviews (as per their preference) were undertaken with 20 Kaumatua from the Auckland region. RESULTS: Five closely interrelated themes were identified from kaumatua narratives regarding physician aid-in dying. These were (1) attitudes and understandings of physician aid-in dying, (2) influence of power, (3) significance of kawa, (4) whanau relationships and the (5) significance of wairua. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated that for these kaumatua, medical practices that hasten death such as physician aid-in dying are 'not all just about the dying'. Tikanga and kawa are important processes and concepts to understand during death and dying, and whanau are central to such processes being respected by those involved in the dying process. These factors are so closely intertwined that they cannot be considered in separation of each other.
