Dr Heather Gifford, Dr Amohia Boulton, Gill Potaka-Osborne, Lynley Cvitanovic (Whakauae Research), Associate Professor Tim Tenbensel & Dr Pat Neuwelt (School of Population Health, University of Auckland), Teresa Taylor & Kiri Parata (Independent Researchers).
Routinely collected health data has been successfully used to describe “the problem” of persisting inequalities and to inform potential solutions. Increasing attention is now being paid to the utility of data and to its relevance. Taking a Kaupapa Māori approach, this three-year study is exploring how routinely collected Māori specific health data, gathered at the DHB level and reported by the Ministry of Health, can be optimally used by Māori leaders, DHB leaders and other decision-makers to stimulate improvements in health outcomes for Māori. Three case study DHBs - Taranaki, Whanganui and Waitematā – are taking part in the research. It is being conducted over three phases: an examination of current data utilisation practices; understanding facilitators and barriers to using data in health services planning; and, in the translation phase, communicating successful strategies to the wider sector. The study aims to highlight the processes, resources, skills and time needed to transform DHB level data into decisions and actions that improve hauora Māori.
The study began late in 2017 and was formally established, within each DHB case study site, during 2018. Detailed research planning, ethics approval and intensive work with participating DHBs to identify and define ‘the cases’ for consideration has since been completed. All three DHBs have identified child health data as an important area of investigation with two of the sites focusing the research on child health immunisation data and the third focusing on child oral health data.
The processes of engaging with DHBs, discussing the research and identifying data cases raised some very interesting issues and insights into current Māori data utilisation practices. The data we collected was analysed by the research team during September 2018 and discussed with our Expert Advisory Group. Dr Amohia Boulton then met with Tumu Whakarae, the National Reference Group of Māori Health Strategy Managers within DHBs, during March 2019 to present and discuss these early research results. A journal article exploring the results is also being prepared for submission later in 2019.
With D3 scheduled to conclude in the second half of 2020, we have now moved into the next phase of the research which seeks to further clarify the facilitators and barriers to the use of Māori child health data in health services planning in the context of each of the three case studies. We anticipate successfully completing this phase in September 2019.
