Importance of Cultural Care for Maori Clients

Running head: CULTURAL CARE 1
Cultural care
Student’s name
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Importance of cultural care provided to Maori clients
New Zealand medical practitioners work with a culturally diverse population
which is evidenced by the many ethnic groups that exist within the population (Kidd,
Gibbons, Lawrenson &Johnstone, 2010). The medical workforce itself is comprised of
different international medical graduates, and hence cross-cultural doctor-patient
interactions are common and therefore medical practitioners competent in dealing with
patients from different from their own. Health and illness is compromised by
The Patient culture also affects how patients access health care services and how
well the patients respond to healthcare interventions. Cultural competence is therefore of
importance in the improvement of healthcare and outcomes in patients. It is also
important in developing a trusting relationship, improvement of patient communication
as well as gaining more information from the patients and improving patient satisfaction.
Numerous disparities exist between Maori and non-Maori.
According to research, Maori are at a higher risk of acquiring certain diseases, for
instance, many cases of cancer deaths. Palliative care supports life and considers death as
a normal process; it has no intention of postponing or quickening demise and uses a team
approach to handle patients’ needs and their Whanau (Swart, Sarfati, Cunningham,
Dennett, Signal, Gurney & Stanley, 2013). Palliative care is required in chronic and life-
limiting diseases; hence there are no prognostic limits on when palliative care should be
offered (Gott, Frey, Raphael, O’Callaghan, Robinson & Boyd, 2013). Provision of care to
Family member at the end of life have an important contribution Whanau make of each
other, their society as well as the whole nation at large. The population of older Maori is
increasing, and the number of Maori dying due to the condition related to palliative care

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is also growing. The recent change in palliative care in New Zealand from acute to
community settings has a significant responsibility for Whanau to offer end of care in the
home setting.
Palliative care is offered based on an individual’s needs and is applicable
regardless of when the death is presumed to occur. It is crucial when the mode of
treatment is aimed at improving the quality of life (Muircroft, McKimm, William &
MacLeod, 2010). Therefore palliative care should be given in a way that meets the
special needs of a person from a given community. High incidences of degenerative and
chronic diseases among Maori and palliative care treatments that aid in extending life
mean Whanau are increasingly being involved in providing end of life care for months or
years. Families are therefore required to balance their work as well as their
responsibilities and other relevant aspects of their lives (Muircroft, McKimm, William&
MacLeod, 2010). Financial constraints as well as being unwell are among risk factors that
may impact caring. Maori families potentially are faced with high-risk factors attributed
to social-economic and environmental factors which may lead to inadequate of caring and
affection for instance home death preferences.
To make sure sick individuals and their Whanau get the required end of life care
should be the main aim for Maori clients. End of life decisions can be emotionally
demanding and challenging for the dying. (Simpson, Berryman, Oetzel, & Reddy, 2015).
End of life care starts when a person’s clinical condition shifts and death becomes
probable for which care planning and treatment are needed.
Importance of communication in therapeutic relationship