Ko Wai Ahau? (Who am I?) How Cultural Identity Issues are Experienced by Mäori Psychiatrists and Registrars Working with Children and Adolescents

Abstract

Objective: This paper aimed to investigate narratives regarding the experience of Mäori cultural identity of Mäori psychiatrists and registrars who have worked with tamariki (children), taiohi (adolescents) and whänau (families).

Method: This was a Kaupapa Maori (Maori-centred) qualitative study where a total of five Mäori psychiatrists and registrars were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire informed by Tikanga Mäori (Mäori custom and protocol).

Results: This paper presents one significant theme, that of “doing the work differently”. Within this theme, the perceived ‘mismatch’ between psychiatric training, seeming to value opacity in clinical sessions, compared to Tikanga Mäori aspects of the doctor's identity which values whakawhänaungatanga (connectivity and relationships) was consistently described.

Conclusions: This paper has implications for registrar training needs, workforce development, service development and cultural competency.