Dr Samantha Newman1,2,3
1FemaleGP, Napier, New Zealand
2Honorary Lecturer, University of Auckland, New Zealand
3Adjunct Associate Researcher, University of Monash, Australia
Case Study: Exploring the experience of perimenopause for a wāhine Māori through a culturally safe lens
Aim: This case explores the experience of perimenopausal hormone treatment in a wāhine Māori
Background: There are studies about menopause symptom management of women in New Zealand and reviews on the need for cultural safety rather than cultural competence, but there is limited data on how cultural safety can be integrated into menopause management for wāhine Māori.
Methods: Patient case study method was used. The case is presented and contextualised in menopause medicine in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Findings: Four aspects relating to the patient’s experience demonstrate the value of cultural safety in menopause medicine. These are menopause as a part of the whole health journey of life, whanau [family] involvement, equal power balance between clinician and patient, and knowledge and understanding of the health experience. Concepts are discussed in the context of patient experience, medical practice and the literature on cultural safety.
Conclusion: Cultural safety should be integrated into menopause management. There is a complex interplay between Māori culture, personal experience of own culture, and health beliefs. The open exploration of the biopsychosocial model by the clinician can facilitate patient led care.
Biography:
Dr Samantha Newman, General Practitioner.
MBChB BSc (hons) DipOMG
Samantha runs a Womens Health Practice, FemaleGP in Napier, NZ and is an Honorary Lecturer of the University of Auckland, an Adjunct Research Associate at Health and Research Centre at the University of Monash, is an Accredited Forensic Examination for MEDSAC and does a couple of tenths of General GP at a local practice.
Samantha loves being able to integrate hormonal health into General Practice concepts.