Health gets R and E feedback
Hui have played a significant role in the Ministry of Health’s research and evaluation activity that supports of one of its key population health strategies, He Korowai Oranga – the Maori Health Strategy.
Work on the Monitoring Framework and Strategic Research Agenda for He Korowai Oranga is carried out by a team led by Paula Searle, Manager, Strategic Projects, Maori Health Directorate.
The team has held focus group hui throughout New Zealand to discuss what Maori want in terms of monitoring and research around He Korowai Oranga.
“The key message from the more than 120 people attending the various hui was research ‘done by us, not to us’,” Paula said.
“Those taking part in the hui were highly knowledgeable about research and monitoring issues. The hui were very informative and well worth it and we have a clear understanding of what whanau, hapu and iwi would like to see in the Ministry’s Maori health strategic research agenda and monitoring framework for He Korowai Oranga,” Paula said.
There were some valuable insights to come out of the hui that are applicable to other agencies undertaking research that involved Maori.
“For example, those attending wanted to see the results of the research being used to inform policy decisions, but most importantly the results being used to improve whanau health and wellbeing.”
Other elements participants thought were important for research were:
- the research should reflect what happens locally, not just nationally – it is important that the grass roots are reflected
- it must be analysed using the Treaty of Waitangi and Maori models, e.g. Te Whare Tapa Wha and Puao-te-ata-tu
- Maori researchers would make a difference
- the research must be intersectoral, incorporating housing, education and employment sectors, and so on, because health is affected by all these factors
- the information needs to be collected about individuals and groups
- there need to be a better balance between qualitative and quantitative research with more of a focus on the former.
- “The challenge for the Ministry of Health is doing research and evaluation that provides meaningful information so that we can develop more effective service delivery for Maori and improve health and disability outcomes for Maori,” Paula says.
All substantive issues from the hui, the submissions, the literature review, and discussions with other government agencies, have been considered and are now being integrated within the working papers that establish the monitoring framework.
Likewise the hui generated a lot of discussion about Maori health research in general and the Strategic Research Agenda, which will be released in 2005.
