Maori health study gets $1m
Misdiagnosis of dementia in Maori has prompted a three-year study by an Auckland University psychologist.
The study has received more than $1 million from the Health Research Council of New Zealand. It is being led by West Auckland clinical psychologist Margaret Dudley, of Te Rarawa, Te Aupouri and Ngati Kahu descent.
No research of this nature with Maori has been done in New Zealand, she says.
She says misdiagnosis in Maori often occurs because assessment tools are not developed for Maori.
This may be because historically Maori have not lived long and everything we know about dementia is from a Western world paradigm, she says.
Misdiagnosis can occur in ‘‘time and space based’’ assessment questions, she says.
Dudley says incorrect answers about the day, week, and month may occur because dated timekeeping is less important for elderly and rural Maori. They want to create ‘‘meaningful and relevant’’ questions to Maori.
Dudley says culturally relevant tools can minimise misdiagnosis and the research aims to develop those tools.
Hui with more than 130 kaumatua over 55 years old – from West Auckland, Kaitaia, Hamilton, New Plymouth, Wellington, and Christchurch – are part of the study.
The research will include about 13 interviews with whanau who care for a family member with dementia, she says.
The research began in November 2016 with a meeting with more than 20 West Auckland kaumatua at Waitakere Hospital Marae.
The study is modelled on Australian research of aboriginal communities, that developed successful indigenous cognitive assessment tools, she says.
Maori researchers Dr Hinemoa Elder, Dr Oliver Menzies, Professor Denise Wilson, Nick Garrett, Dr Ngaire Kerse and Moe Milne, are part of the research.
Dudley says she wanted ‘‘research on Maori led by Maori’’.
Non-maori neuropsychologists, psychiatrists, geriatricians, and GPS will advise on scientific aspects for developing diagnosis tools, she says.
It’s a combination of kaupapa Maori theory and Western science, she says. – Fairfax NZ