Understanding the experience of pain from a Maori perspective

Abstract

To better assess and treat pain in different cultures it is essential that the perspectives and experiences of that culture be taken into consideration. As there are no pain measures for the indigenous Maori of New Zealand, this mixed quantitative and qualitative, cross-sectional descriptive study with Maori elders (kaumatua) and Maori healthcare providers explored Maori perspectives of pain. Fifteen Maori healthcare providers and kaumatua, experienced in caring for Maori who are in pain, completed anonymous questionnaires relating to the experience of pain. Respondents were asked to provide feedback regarding the suitability of words and phrases typically used to describe symptoms of pain and pain-related disability. Respondents were also asked to provide words, or phrases (in Te Reo Maori or English) representmg characteristics of pain which had not been provided. Additionally, interviews with Maori healthcare providers and kaumatua were conducted to gain insight into the perception and treatment of pain from a Maori perspective. Of the 61 descriptive statements regarding the experience of pain provide on the survey questionnaire 56 (92%) were endorsed by 65% or more of the respondents. In addition, 123 (100%) of the pain descriptors provided were endorsed by 65% or more of the respondents. Of these items 77 (63%) were endorsed by 100% of the respondents. From the interviews conducted with 7 healthcare providers and 26 kaumatua, the themes of the universality of pain and the negative impact of pain on individuals in a multitude of ways emerged. As found in many cultures, Maori perceive pain as a multidimensional experience impacting them on physiological, psychological and spiritual dimensions. From these results the clinical implications would be that assessing and treating pain from a multidimensional perspective would be appropriate within the Maori culture.