Physiotherapists in Aotearoa New Zealand practise within a culturally diverse environment. They are required to be competent when engaging with kiritaki hauora | patients whose cultures may differ from their own, and with colleagues and other health professionals from diverse backgrounds.
Culture and its context inform how kiritaki hauora understand health, well‐being and illness, the choices regarding their health, how they access health care services and how they respond to interventions.
Culture may include, but not be limited to age, gender, sexual orientation, race, socio‐economic status (including occupation), religion, ethnicity and organisational culture, physical or mental or other impairments. Cultural competence is key to building trust with kiritaki hauora to deliver better health outcomes.
The Board | te Poari has two standards directly relating to cultural competence and safety:
One of the Board | te Poari projects this year was working with Kia Ora Hauora and the Pasifika Physiotherapy Association to produce videos for school‐aged Māori and Pacific youth championing physiotherapy as a career choice.
Dyani Murray tells the story of how her experiences as a wāhine Māori and te Ao Māori journey led her to physiotherapy and how that shapes her professional approach.
Tioke Pryor talks about his journey as a physiotherapist at his practice is informed and strengthened by te Ao Māori and te Reo Māori.
Rasela‐Joy Gibson talks about her journey as a physio and the strengths her culture bring to her practice.
We caught up with Nari‐Jane to talk about being a physiotherapist and how and why she brings her culture to the role.
What is cultural competence and how do you incorporate it into your practice?
