Blattner K, Stokes T, Rogers-Koroheke M, Nixon G, and Dovey S. Good care close to home: local health professional perspectives on how a rural hospital can contribute to the healthcare of its community. New Zealand Medical Journal. Vol 133 No 1509: 7 Feb 2020 Link – NZMJ articles are open-access 6 months after publication
This paper from Kati illustrates the unique and special place that Hauora Hokianga has within NZ medical system. The four main themes: “Out context”, “Continuity of care”, “Navigation”, and “Home” encapsulate how many of us would like to view our health services.
Tino pai Kati
“Yes—observation. The medical intervention is quite a small part of medical treatment, isn’t it, often? It’s about being able to observe, have a place of safety, and have a place of recovery as well.”
Abstract
Aim
Hokianga Health in New Zealand’s far north is an established health service with a small rural hospital, serving a largely Māori community. The aim of this study was to gain insights into the wider roles of one rural hospital from the perspective of its staff.
Method
Eleven face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted with employees of Hokianga Health, eight with past and current medical practitioners, three with senior non-medical staff. Interviews were recorded and transcribed. Thematic analysis of the interviews was undertaken using the Framework Method.
Results
Four main themes were identified: ‘Our Context’, emphasising geographical isolation; ‘Continuity of Care’, illustrating the role of the hospital across the primary-secondary interface; ‘Navigation’ of health services within and beyond Hokianga; and the concept of hospital as ‘Home’.
Conclusion
Findings highlight the importance of geographically appropriate, as well as culturally appropriate, health services. A hospital as part of a rural health service can enhance comprehensive and continuous care for a rural community. Study findings suggest rural hospitals should be viewed and valued as their own distinct entity rather than small-scale versions of larger urban hospitals.
Kati also pointed me toward this article from this article by Glen Colquhoun. In it he describes a country of many Hauora Hokianga’s.
“The role of a health system is not to bounce patients away from it. It is to help, to open its arms and surround with care. It is to be the embodiment of nurturing – our mother’s wide open arms.”
Wonderful stuff happening there. I hope my province of NB Canada can benefit from this.. I am a nurse.. I’m sure you’re aware that UBC research in Rural Health care is doing good stuff also..
Thanks Greta, Please spread the word and look forward and appreciate any contributions or feedback! Please share links to any UBC research that you might have!