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Tauiwi general practitioners’ talk about Mäori health: interpretative repertoires

Making Education Easy

From Māori Health Review Issue 8
Authors:
  • McCreanor T and Nairn R
Summary:

This qualitative investigation used discourse analysis to describe interpretative repertoires in interview transcripts from 25 Tauiwi (non-Mäori New Zealanders) general practitioners (GPs) from urban Auckland talking about Mäori health. The main interpretative repertoires (patterns of language use on particular topics) utilised by participants in their talk about Mäori health are outlined; including key explanatory forms relating to prevalence and causality of Mäori health problems, and rationales for specialised practices when working with Mäori. These repertoires are oriented to constructions of Mäori health that either blame Mäori for their plight or justify existing service provision. “As such, they are antithetical to arguments for changes to policy and practice that might bring about population-level health gains for Mäori”, conclude the authors.

Comment:
An interesting study. As the authors ask, is it possible to improve Mäori health with changes to policy and practice aimed at the population level when providers continue to orient themselves to blaming Mäori or justifying poor service provision? In the same way that health promotion campaigns attempt to change a person’s behaviour to reduce risk to other people (e.g. passive smoking) perhaps we could utilise the same principles for a health promotion/education plan for providers that aims to change their ‘unhealthy’ behaviours.
Reference: N Z Med J. 2002; 115:U272
Abstract
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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.

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