Perspectives on access to personal health information in New Zealand/Aotearoa.
This study used group interviews to explore Māori and European New Zealander (Pakeha) perspectives on access to personal health information. Two predominant themes emerged: the tension between the individual and society, and differences inherent in the use of formal and informal moral codes. Māori and Pakeha differed in their concept of autonomy and relied on distinct moral codes when considering questions of access; Western values and moral codes were notably less relevant to Māori who described distinct, collectivist means of ensuring social care of the sick and dying. Pakeha but not Māori participants often used hypothetical situations to reach an abstract determination of 'who should know'; the latter instead used personal experience to decide case-by-case. Generational differences were also evident, particularly in the Māori groups. In conclusion, culture should be considered in access to personal health information in New Zealand. Similar cultural variation is likely to be found in other countries; recognition of such differences will help ensure that access to sensitive information is appropriate, inclusive, and ethical.
a Waikato Clinical School, University of Auckland , New Zealand.
David B
DB
Menkes
b Nelson District Health Board , New Zealand.
Charlotte J
CJ
Hill
c School of Business , University of Otago , New Zealand.
Melissa
M
Horsfall
d Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago , New Zealand.
Chrystal
C
Jaye
Māori; New Zealand; autonomy; health information; moral codes; privacy