Integrating Māori knowledge and cultural values into audiological research and hearing health services : an approach inspired by He Awa Whiria – a braided rivers framework.

Type of content
Theses / Dissertations
Publisher's DOI/URI
Thesis discipline
Audiology
Degree name
Master of Audiology
Publisher
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Language
English
Date
2022
Authors
Dawson, James
Abstract

In Aotearoa me Te Waipounamu/New Zealand, Māori are frequently underserved and excluded by hearing health services rooted in the dominant culture's values. Health workers often overlook Māori cultural values, leaving many Māori feeling alienated, whakamā (ashamed/embarrassed), and unsafe. A 'one-size-fits-all' approach to health service design and delivery has created systemic barriers to access that disproportionately affect Māori. Consequently, there are significant inequities in outcomes for Māori and greater unmet need relative to non-Māori. While the medical model has undeniable utility, there is considerable scope for the audiology profession to challenge the dominance of Western biomedical approaches to hearing healthcare and to broaden its thinking to deliver culturally appropriate services for Māori clients. This study explores how Māori knowledge and cultural values could be integrated into audiological research and mainstream audiology services. Inspired by He Awa Whiria – A Braided Rivers framework (Macfarlane et al., 2015), I suggest an approach that combines indigenous Māori and Western knowledge traditions. Further Māori-led research informed by kaupapa Māori principles is needed to evaluate this approach and how it may apply to hearing health services more broadly.

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Citation
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Ngā upoko tukutuku/Māori subject headings
ANZSRC fields of research
Rights
All Rights Reserved