title: A cultural analysis of New Zealand palliative care brochures.
abstract: Low utilization of palliative care services by Māori remains despite increases in services designed to meet Māori needs. The purpose of this study is to explore palliative care information brochures in the context of Māori principles of well-being and communication protocols, and health literacy. We examined 99 brochures from palliative care services in New Zealand and held two focus groups with 12 Māori elders (kaumātua) and extended family (whanau) members. Taking a cultural-discursive approach incorporating Māori worldviews, we analysed textual and conceptual features of the brochures. The findings centred on cultural connection and disconnection within the brochures and serve as a critique of the prominent messages currently presented in these brochures. The findings raise questions about the capacity of agencies to convey culturally resonant messages to kaumātua and their whānau. We identify implications of palliative care brochures for health literacy of provider organizations as well as kaumātua and whanau.
authors.affiliation: Management Communication, University of Waikato, PB 3105, Hillcrest Rd, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand mary@waikato.ac.nz.
authors.forename: Mary Louisa
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Simpson
authors.affiliation: Waikato-Tainui College for Research and Development, Hamilton, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Kay
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Berryman
authors.affiliation: Management Communication, University of Waikato, PB 3105, Hillcrest Rd, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Oetzel
authors.affiliation: Rauawaawa Kaumātua Charitable Trust, Hamilton, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Tiwai
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Iti
authors.affiliation: Rauawaawa Kaumātua Charitable Trust, Hamilton, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Rangimahora
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Reddy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003142:Communication; D055812:Community-Based Participatory Research; D003469:Culture; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D057220:Health Literacy; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand; D010166:Palliative Care; D010174:Pamphlets; D013727:Terminal Care
keywords: Māori kaumātua; communication; health literacy; palliative care