Te Maatai Manawa a Whaanau: Maaori and Pacific People's Experiences of Echocardiography in Rheumatic Fever Health Care in Auckland, New Zealand

AIMS: This research aimed to gain an understanding of rheumatic fever related echocardiography experiences from Indigenous Maaori and Pacific children, adolescents and their whaanau (family members) in the Counties Manukau region of Aotearoa New Zealand to improve these services. METHOD: The study used qualitative Indigenous Kaupapa Maaori consistent and Kakala methodologies. The research was based in the Counties Manukau region of Auckland, New Zealand. Data was collected through interviews with Maaori and Pacific children and adolescents with rheumatic fever or rheumatic heart disease who had recently had echocardiograms and their whaanau. Data was analysed using a general inductive thematic analysis. RESULTS: Seventeen Participants Were Included in the Study. Four Themes Were Identified in the General Inductive Analysis: (1) Communication; (2) Engagement; (3) Access; (4) Kaiaawhina. CONCLUSION: By identifying barriers and facilitators of echocardiography services for rheumatic fever, this research provided knowledge and insights that can assist in developing child, adolescent and whaanau-focused models of care that have the potential to improve patient experience and echocardiography services in Aotearoa New Zealand.