In this project, the views of Māori were explored in relation to health, experience of rongoā Māori, experience of primary health services and the integration of rongoā Māori with primary health care. Two groups of Māori health services consumers, one which used rongoā in addition to primary health treatment and one which only used primary health treatment, were interviewed. Consumers also participated in the use of a methodology termed “Māori-voice” by Dr Mark; giving expression to Māori worldviews of hauora through photographs. In undertaking the research, it was hoped to establish the ways in which Māori beliefs about health and illness contribute to health treatment choices along with how the health treatment experiences of participants can be used to inform integration of rongoā and primary health services for the benefit of Māori.
Dr Glenis Mark completed her postdoctoral studies in February 2015. A key achievement was the production of a booklet for her research participants, based on the photographs they took as part of the study. The booklet, Huarahi rongoā ki a ngāi tātou: Māori views on rongoā Māori and primary health - Results of research conducted with Māori patients of rongoā and primary health, was presented to participants and Project Advisory Group members at a research dissemination hui in November 2014. An important component of Dr Mark’s postdoctoral work was the production of academic journal articles and, in addition to the research she undertook, she was successful in having two articles accepted for publication in 2015, with a further two currently under review.
