Queensland Maori, Pasifika Families and Child Health Service Providers narrating (talanoa) about culturally safe service delivery; a journey using an Indigenous Conceptual Framework Underpinning Decolonisation, Cultural Safety Methodology and Talanoa Methods

Ms Wani Erick¹, Ms Carol Windsor²

¹Queensland University Technology, Brisbane, Australia,

²Queensland University Technology, Brisbane, Australia

A Queensland Health report identified Maori and Pacific Island groups in Queensland as two priority groups due to social disadvantage. One key performance disadvantage among Maori and Pacific Island communities in Queensland is disengagement from child and family health services.  A qualitative study was undertaken, to explore this issue, drawing on a theoretical lens which combined   Decolonization and Cultural Safety methodologies  and Talanoa  methods.  Interviews were conducted with twenty-nine Maori and Pacific Island Families in Townsville and eight Child Health Service Providers in Brisbane and Townsville to produce greater insight into the conceptualisation of culturally safe health service delivery.

A combination of Charmaz’s constructivist approach and Bronfenner’s ecological model underpinned  data analysis. Power dynamics, socio-contextual realities, identity versus cultural difference, deficit discourse and cultural disconnection were key categories that depicted  health service delivery to Queensland Maori and Pacific Island Families. The theoretical framework shifted the focus from service users (Maori and Pacific) to examine child health service providers’ experiences in their work with Maori Pacific Island families. Simultaneously shifting a mindset from being victimized a vulnerable population, a lalaga (work in partnership) methodology was introduced; centring Maori Pasifika Island Families’ stories (tutala-aga) in ensuring they are complemented as experts of their experiences.

Biography:

Wani an RN and researcher worked for over 25 years in New Zealand and Australia having completed her Bachelor of Health Science Nursing degree, a Graduate Diploma and Postgraduate Diploma in New Zealand (MIT and Massey University).

She holds a Masters Degree from James Cook University in Townsville North Queensland with specialisation in Advanced Nursing Practice in Indigenous Primary Healthcare and Child Family Health.

Wani is currently completing her doctoral thesis at Queensland University Technology Brisbane under the supervision of an Associate Professor, titled “Queensland Maori Pasifika and Child Health Service providers narrating (talanoa) about culturally safe child health services”.