"As Tangata Tiriti, how might we enhance cultural competence and awareness among migrant healthcare professionals to better engage with Māori in Aotearoa’s healthcare settings?"
Aotearoa's diverse healthcare landscape demands a culturally competent workforce for equitable care. Yet, many immigrant healthcare workers—who make up 40% of doctors and 26% of nurses—struggle to understand Māori cultural values, contributing to miscommunication and mistrust. Māori patients, with a life expectancy 7.3 years shorter than non-Māori, face poorer health outcomes and less access to quality care despite more significant healthcare needs.
In healthcare, these cultural gaps can lead to communication barriers and misunderstandings, which impact patient care. To address this, we must support skilled migrant professionals and ensure they can engage with Māori patients respectfully and effectively.
The Cultural Competency Course is designed specifically for newly arrived healthcare professionals in Aotearoa.
Migrant professionals would receive this toolkit containing the four key modules, 32 flashcards (8 for each module), a pronunciation and simple translation card, a welcome card, and stickers.
The main focus of the toolkit is the four key modules:
- The first covers Māori and Aotearoa history, offering crucial context on the Indigenous experience.
- The second focuses on Te Tiriti o Waitangi versus The Treaty of Waitangi, explaining the differences between the Māori and English versions and their impact on healthcare today.
- The third module explores Māori culture and traditions, providing practical knowledge for respectful engagement.
- The fourth helps participants reflect on their positionality, how it shapes their interactions with Māori patients, and how to create a sense of belonging in Aotearoa.
This course not only equips migrant healthcare professionals with the knowledge to better engage with Māori patients but also supports them in feeling more connected to Aotearoa's rich cultural landscape.
By fostering this understanding, we can build a more inclusive healthcare system that respects and uplifts Māori cultural values, ultimately leading to better health outcomes for all.
