A considerable proportion of Māori continue to face barriers to accessing healthcare services many years after injury, according to data from the Prospective Outcomes of Injury Study – 10 year follow up (POIS-10). Telephone interviews were conducted with 305 POIS-10 Māori participants who had been injured and recruited 12 years earlier. A total of 61 participants (20%) reported trouble accessing injury-related health services, and three related themes were identified: 1) Competing responsibilities and commitments, including practical barriers to accessing services; 2) Disrupted mana, including receiving limited support, care or information tailored to participants’ circumstances; and 3) Systemic abdication, including conflicting information regarding diagnoses and treatment plans, and healthcare provider distrust of participants. The study authors concluded that Māori-specific supports are required and that systemic barriers must be addressed and removed, to restore a sense of manaakitanga and improve Māori access to healthcare.
