Tēnā koutou.
Welcome to the third module in this series on understanding bias in health care.
This module looks at consumers' and clinicians' real-life experiences of bias, both implicit and explicit.
The journey to providing culturally safe care for Māori
is a rewarding journey that takes very little effort.
To start using a small amount of te reo,
understanding other people's world views,
understanding the difference between equity and equality.
And to those that say 'I treat everyone equally'
there are people that aren't on equal footing.
Understanding your privilege that you have
and that other people don't necessarily have that privilege.
And just the connection that you can make with patients
across all different areas.
Being aware of your biases and realising that there are
many other people there that have a different world view to you
will actually improve the care you provide to all patients, not just Māori.
Yes.
I believe I am treated differently
because I'm not pākehā.
And for this particular incident that happened to me
is still very raw.
And I can still...
When I reflect on it
the experience was horrendous.
It's a situation that is very critical and it
impacts on your life.
And yet I believe that I did not receive the
comprehensive advice from the clinician
in terms of my care
and in terms of the course of action
that was prescribed for me to take.
I only go to Pacific doctors now or clinicians.
That has been a conscious decision on my part
and that of my family and whānau.
Primarily because one, I feel the confidence that they are
able to sit and take time to hear me out,
to talk about my condition.
There's the cultural aspect because they know who I am
and where I've come from.
They've taken the time to listen.
And there's a...
it's like a family.
A family atmosphere that is created in this clinic.
Some of the things that Pākehā doctors could do is as
basic as giving a little bit more time.
Ensuring that the person before them is not just any person.
That they must show some compassion
when dealing with people, particularly of Pacifika cultures.
Pacific people when we engage, your initial contact is very important.
It's how we would.
If you come out and meet and greet the patient and you're smiling
and you look that you're wanting to engage.
So immediately we respond.
We know that you care.
Being Samoan, and I was born in Invercargill.
And, um...
I was raised up Samoan but you go out leaving
being educated and socialising in a very
white environment.
My name, my maiden name, is Tonumaipe’a.
There is a legend behind this name and
for a lot of people it was very hard for them to pronounce.
And so they shortened it to ‘Pe’a’.
So what I recognised is that
unconsciously they were shortening a name
to suit them.
And I know that wasn't intentional
but when you shorten someone's name
and that they shortened it to ‘Pe’a’
and ‘Pe’a’ means bat in Samoan.
And it totally gives a different meaning to a name
that has a lot of legacy to it, a lot of sacredness to it.
And it can sort of take someone's identity away.
The health system is structured in a way where
sometimes it's not so friendly towards our Pacific community.
I think a lot of clinicians are very busy
and taking time out to engage with our Pacific people
can take a big toll on them.
But making this a priority in their practice
can make a big difference in the long-term of
engaging well with Pacific people
and gaining better health outcomes.
So some of the simple things that I could recommend
for our clinicians is to
pronounce names.
Make an effort to learn the Pacific vowels.
Make an effort to pronounce the names well.
And this really helps.
It lifts a person knowing that someone's made an effort to get to know their name
or even pronounce the name.
And I think one of the other tips that I'd also suggest is
is to, is to do some...
is ask questions.
Ask questions to the Pacific patient of
and gain clarity of what's important to them, what's their values.
So when you're working, focus on your breathing.
Slow down your breathing.
Exhale bias brain.
and inhale mindful brain.
Now you've watched this module we invite you to make
this just the start of your learning about bias in health care.
To find out more make sure you have watched the other two modules in the series of three
and see the Health Quality & Safety Commission's website for further information.
Kia ora tātou.
Unuhia, unuhia, unuhia te uru tapu nui.
Kia māmā, kia wātea te ngākau, te hinengaro, te wairua i te ara takatū.
Koia rā e Rongo, whakairia ki runga.
Āe rā, kua wātea.
Haumi e, hui e, tāiki e.