Māori experiences of rehabilitation from major trauma project

Engaging with Māori major trauma patients and their whānau is a key part of improving the national trauma system and delivering on the Commission and Network’s overarching programme objectives.

The data collected via the New Zealand Trauma Registry tells us that the incidence of major trauma is 30 percent higher in Māori than in non-Māori. The overall rate for Māori over the last two years is 56 per 100,000, while the rate for non-Māori is 43 per 100,000. Also, Māori men have the greatest burden of major trauma than any other group. Māori women are also disproportionately burdened when compared to females from other ethnic groups. The disproportionate burden of injury starts from the youngest ages and continues across all age groups until the 80+ age group.[1]

The aim of this project is to increase our understanding of how, in their own words, Māori major trauma patients and their whānau experience trauma rehabilitation. A second aim is to use findings to identify pragmatic initiatives and approaches that can be implemented to support Māori who are injured to achieve the best possible experiences and outcomes (implementation is out of scope for this project).

The key deliverable for the project is the completion of approximately 20 interviews and/or focus groups with Māori major trauma patients and their whānau, from across North Island, South Island, and rural and urban areas.

This project will play a key role in refining the Commission and the Network’s overall approach to improving major trauma care in New Zealand in that its findings/outputs will be used to ensure that programme scoping and planning adequately considers and addresses the Māori world view and improves their experiences of and outcomes from their major trauma rehabilitation.

The network’s clinical lead and programme manager are also involved in the project.

If you have any questions, please contact the project lead, Sharon Pihema at: help@majortrauma.nz.

1. Source: National Trauma Network Annual Report 2018-19. 

All publications relating to this project are below. They include:  

• the full report (PDF) 
• executive summary (PDF) 

two resources for clinicians: 

• ‘Whakawhanaungatanga with whānau Māori who experience trauma events’ (PDF) 
• ‘Supporting whānau Māori who experience trauma events’ (editable MS Word format so health providers can choose what to use according to their service).