Accessing care in an unfamiliar environment: experiences of tūroro Māori and their whānau when transported outside their local area after a cardiac emergency.

Aim: After an acute cardiac event tūroro (patients) are often transported to a hospital with specialist cardiac services, sometimes far from home. While such hospitals offer specialist care, it is unknown how transport out-of-area affects tūroro and whānau (family) holistically. This study explored tūroro Māori and whānau experiences and perceptions of transport away from their community after an acute cardiac event.

Methods: Using a Kaupapa Māori research approach, five semi-structured interviews and two focus groups were undertaken with tūroro Māori and/or whānau. A general inductive approach was used for analysis.

Results: Participants reported a wide range of positive and negative experiences. There was one overarching theme-accessing care in an unfamiliar environment, and two sub-themes-whānau support and mana-enhancing communication. Receiving care in an unfamiliar environment placed added stress on tūroro and whānau and meant that mana-enhancing communication was of utmost importance (a holistic view ensuring the tūroro and whānau retain their power and decision making with all communication).

Conclusion: Tūroro and whānau transported away from home following a serious cardiac event described the challenges associated with receiving care in an unfamiliar environment. The resulting uncertainty for the tūroro and travel and financial burden for whānau added to what was already a stressful time. Many of the challenges inherent in this situation can be mitigated with mana-enhancing communication.