A novel framework for Indigenous eye health care in New Zealand: Nga Mata o te Ariki.

ABSTRACT

CLINICAL RELEVANCE Development of an Indigenous eye health framework could offer the opportunity for eye health professionals to enhance engagement with Indigenous populations. BACKGROUND: Indigenous populations globally experience disproportionately poorer eye health outcomes than non-Indigenous peoples. Incorporating Maori perspectives of eye care and pre-existing Indigenous models of health offers potential to enhance Maori experience and engagement with eye health services. This study seeks to develop and refine a practical framework for eye health care that incorporates nine established Indigenous health principles. METHODS: Qualitative methodology, guided by Indigenous Maori research principles, was used to evaluate interviews with five leading senior Maori academics surrounding the ongoing development and refinement of a Kaupapa Maori (Maori worldview centric) framework for eye care in Aotearoa New Zealand, created following Maori health consumer consultation. Interviews were semi-structured and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. RESULTS: Seven key themes arose in relation to the development of a Kaupapa Maori framework for eye care in Aotearoa New Zealand 1) vision is critical to Maori well-being, 2) cultural safety is important, 3) Maori health beliefs must be upheld, 4) achieving pae ora (healthy futures) is important, 5) key concepts and focus of the framework must be clear, 6) purakau (traditional Indigenous stories) are valuable resources in developing health frameworks and 7) embedding Matariki (fundamental Maori) principles is valuable. CONCLUSIONS: Using Kaupapa Maori principles allowed development and refinement of a framework that encourages clinicians to consider Indigenous health principles when engaging with Maori patients who seek eye care. Application of this framework may contribute to enhancing cultural safety and responsiveness of eye care for Maori.