Supporting whanau during COVID-19 pandemic in Aotearoa New Zealand: a systems thinking case study.
BMC Health Serv Res
; 24(1): 717, 2024 Jun 11.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38858664
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
The Aotearoa New Zealand COVID-19 pandemic response has been hailed as a success story, however, there are concerns about how equitable it has been. This study explored the experience of a collective of Maori health and social service providers in the greater Wellington region of Aotearoa New Zeland delivering COVID-19 responses.METHODS:
The study was a collaboration between a large urban Maori health and social service provider, Takiri Mai Te Ata whanau ora collective, and public health researchers in Aotearoa New Zealand. Two online workshops were held with staff of the Maori service provider, collectively developing a qualitative causal loop diagram and generating systemic insights. The causal loop diagram showed interactions of various factors affecting COVID-19 response for supporting whanau (Maori family/households) at a community level. The iceberg model of systems thinking offered insights for action in understanding causal loop diagrams, emphasizing impactful changes at less visible levels.RESULTS:
Six interacting subsystems were identified within the causal loop diagram that highlighted the systemic barriers and opportunities for effective COVID-19 response to Maori whanau. The medical model of health service produces difficulties for delivering kaupapa Maori services. Along with pre-existing vulnerability and health system gaps, these difficulties increased the risk of negative impacts on Maori whanau as COVID-19 cases increased. The study highlighted a critical need to create equal power in health perspectives, reducing dominance of the individual-focused medical model for better support of whanau during future pandemics.CONCLUSIONS:
The study provided insights on systemic traps, their interactions and delays contributing to a relatively less effective COVID-19 response for Maori whanau and offered insights for improvement. In the light of recent changes in the Aotearoa New Zealand health system, the findings emphasize the urgent need for structural reform to address power imbalances and establish kaupapa Maori approach and equity as a norm in service planning and delivery.Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
COVID-19
/
Health Services, Indigenous
Limits:
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
Oceania
Language:
En
Journal:
BMC Health Serv Res
Journal subject:
PESQUISA EM SERVICOS DE SAUDE
Year:
2024
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Nueva Zelanda