Holistic health for Pacific seniors from a weekly group gathering run by a Pacific health provider

Chris Higgs; Finau Taungapeau; Charleen Silcock; Oka Sanerivi; Emily Fruean; Ileana Lameta; Tevita Vungamoeahi; Charlotte Kareroa; Rose Richards

doi:10.1071/HC23093

RESEARCH ARTICLE (Open Access)

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Holistic health for Pacific seniors from a weekly group gathering run by a Pacific health provider

Chris Higgs

¹ ^* , Finau Taungapeau ² , Charleen Silcock ¹ , Oka Sanerivi ¹ , Emily Fruean ¹ , Ileana Lameta ¹ , Tevita Vungamoeahi ² , Charlotte Kareroa ² , Rose Richards ³

+ Author Affiliations

- Author Affiliations

¹ University of Otago, School of Physiotherapy, 325 Great King Street, PO Box 56, Dunedin/Otepoti 9054, Aotearoa New Zealand.

² Pacific Trust Otago, 16 McBride Street, Dunedin/Otepoti 9012, Aotearoa New Zealand.

³ University of Otago, Va’a o Tautai, 71 Frederick Street, PO Box 56, Dunedin/Otepoti 9054, Aotearoa New Zealand.

^* Correspondence to: Chris.higgs@otago.ac.nz

Handling Editor: Felicity Goodyear-Smith

Journal of Primary Health Care 15(4) 358-365 https://doi.org/10.1071/HC23093

Submitted: 31 August 2023 Accepted: 4 November 2023 Published: 27 November 2023

© 2023 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing on behalf of The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND)

Abstract

Introduction

Manatū Hauora (Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ) Ministry of Health) recognises that respecting and listening to Pacific peoples’ knowledge and skills in caring for their communities’ wellbeing is a priority, and that novel approaches to care, particularly for chronic health conditions, are necessary. Allied health professionals have the potential to play important roles in primary care design and delivery. Pacific Trust Otago (PTO) provides a weekly seniors’ group gathering that has evolved over the years and incorporates exercise, health information and cultural activities.

Aim

This study aims to explore what Pacific seniors are learning about their health and wellbeing, and what factors contribute to sustained engagement with this weekly group activity.

Methods

The research team conducted a qualitative study using the Kakala Research Framework and the pan-Pacific Talanoa Research Methodology to gather narratives in a relational and comfortable group space. Participants were recruited from the seniors group gathering. Group Talanoa were used to collect data, which were digitally voice-recorded, transcribed, translated, and de-identified. Ethical approval was granted by the University of Otago School of Physiotherapy Ethics Committee.

Results

Pacific seniors valued how these gathering The seniors recognised how interconnected and intertwined culture, spirituality, and family were and how this contributed to their sense of individual and collective health and wellbeing. The study highlights the need to consider health beyond the individual to the collective, embracing indigenous perspectives, and authentically nurturing relationships with Pacific health providers. The study recommends primary care funders are supported to understand what is important to Pacific people and partner with Pacific health providers to deliver care in ways that align with indigenous models of care.

Discussion

A weekly group gathering for Pacific seniors run by Allied Health professionals provides a welcoming, safe, and culturally meaningful environment where seniors can connect, share, and grow in health and wellbeing together. This study highlights the importance of adopting informed and inclusive approaches to promoting and addressing holistic health for Pacific people, especially in light of ongoing health reforms in Aotearoa NZ.

Keywords: allied health occupations, Fonofale paradigm, health equity, healthy aging, pacific health, primary health care, social cohesion, talanoa.

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