Mā Te Whakarongo: A Qualitative Study Exploring the Impact of Middle Ear Disease on New Zealand Māori
Lance Buckthought, ENT Registrar, Christchurch Hospital, New Zealand
Authors List
Introduction: Middle ear disease encompasses a broad range of pathology including otitis media with effusion (OME), recurrent acute otitis media (AOM) and chronic otitis media (COM). COM includes tympanic membrane perforation and cholesteatoma. Observational studies suggest that New Zealand Māori have higher rates of middle ear disease than non-Māori.1 We hypothesise that in addition to the physical manifestations of the condition, middle ear disease has unique implications for Māori, impacting on their ability to assume certain roles and engage in Te Ao Māori.
Aims: The study aims to explore the impact of middle ear disease on New Zealand Māori through a series of semi-structured interviews following a kaupapa Māori based methodology.
Methods: The qualitative study involved a series of seven semi-structured interviews with Māori adults that suffer from middle ear disease. All interviews were conducted by a Māori researcher and thematic analysis employed.
Results: All participants felt that there were delays in recognition and treatment of their condition and that there were barriers to accessing the healthcare system. The condition prevents participation in cultural and recreational activities, particularly those involving water. Hearing loss affects education and employment opportunities, and together with otorrhea results in social isolation and disconnection from Te Ao Māori. Overall, the condition impacts negatively on mental and spiritual wellbeing.
Conclusions: The study demonstrates that middle ear disease has a negative impact on the quality of life of Māori and their whānau. It is important that healthcare professionals are aware of this condition and the potential implications for Māori patients, prompting earlier recognition and referral to specialist care.
References:
1. Giles M, Asher I. Prevalence and Natural History of Otitis Media with Perforation in Māori School Children. 1991. The journal of Laryngology and Otology. 105: 257-260.
- Buckthought, L. Department of Otolaryngology, Christchurch Hospital, New Zealand
- Garland, R. Department of Otolaryngology, Wellington Hospital, New Zealand
- Stairmand, J. Eru Pōmare Māori Health Research Centre, Department of Public Health/School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand
Introduction: Middle ear disease encompasses a broad range of pathology including otitis media with effusion (OME), recurrent acute otitis media (AOM) and chronic otitis media (COM). COM includes tympanic membrane perforation and cholesteatoma. Observational studies suggest that New Zealand Māori have higher rates of middle ear disease than non-Māori.1 We hypothesise that in addition to the physical manifestations of the condition, middle ear disease has unique implications for Māori, impacting on their ability to assume certain roles and engage in Te Ao Māori.
Aims: The study aims to explore the impact of middle ear disease on New Zealand Māori through a series of semi-structured interviews following a kaupapa Māori based methodology.
Methods: The qualitative study involved a series of seven semi-structured interviews with Māori adults that suffer from middle ear disease. All interviews were conducted by a Māori researcher and thematic analysis employed.
Results: All participants felt that there were delays in recognition and treatment of their condition and that there were barriers to accessing the healthcare system. The condition prevents participation in cultural and recreational activities, particularly those involving water. Hearing loss affects education and employment opportunities, and together with otorrhea results in social isolation and disconnection from Te Ao Māori. Overall, the condition impacts negatively on mental and spiritual wellbeing.
Conclusions: The study demonstrates that middle ear disease has a negative impact on the quality of life of Māori and their whānau. It is important that healthcare professionals are aware of this condition and the potential implications for Māori patients, prompting earlier recognition and referral to specialist care.
References:
1. Giles M, Asher I. Prevalence and Natural History of Otitis Media with Perforation in Māori School Children. 1991. The journal of Laryngology and Otology. 105: 257-260.
