New Zealand’s health workforce pre-registration students do not reflect the diverse communities they will serve, according to an observational study conducted between 2016 and 2020. Data were obtained for students accepted into the first ‘professional’ year of a tertiary-level health professional programme during the study period. The enrolment rate for Māori students was approximately 99 per 100 000 eligible population and was even lower for some Pasifika ethnic groups, compared with 152 per 100 000 for New Zealand European students. The unadjusted rate ratio for enrolment of both Māori and Pasifika students versus ‘New Zealand European and Other’ students was approximately 0.7. Students from low socioeconomic and rural backgrounds were also under-represented. The study authors recommend that tertiary education funding be based on projected health workforce needs and Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and that it has a strong pro-equity focus.
Some really important information/data in this paper – please read it. A couple of key things for me: (1) the results are heavily influenced by nursing, the largest programme and one with relatively low levels of ethnic and socioeconomic inequity. Rates are likely to be worse for some programmes such as medicine; (2) the results also highlight the intersection of social disadvantage, rurality and Māori and Pacific ethnicity. Therefore, future planning must take this into account.
Independent commentary by Dr. Matire Hardwood
Dr Matire Harwood (Ngapuhi) has worked in Hauora Māori, primary health and rehabilitation settings as clinician and researcher since graduating from Auckland Medical School in 1994. She also holds positions on a number of boards, committees and advisory groups including the Health Research Council. Matire lives in Auckland with her whānau including partner Haunui and two young children Te Rangiura and Waimarie.
Research Review publications are intended for New Zealand health professionals.
Disclaimer: This publication is not intended as a replacement for regular medical education but to assist in the process. The reviews are a summarised interpretation of the published study and reflect the opinion of the writer rather than those of the research group or scientific journal. It is suggested readers review the full trial data before forming a final conclusion on its merits.
