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RACS ASC 2024

Combining Samoan Perspectives with Provision of Healthcare: The Fa’afaletui Approach.

Poster

Poster

Disciplines

Global Health

Presentation Description

Institution: Nelson Hospital - Nelson, Aotearoa New Zealand

Pacific people make up 7% of Aotearoa, New Zealand (NZ). Of this, Samoans comprise the largest Pacific ethnic group (47.6%) in Aotearoa. Multiple disparities exist in health outcomes between Pacific and Non-Pacific peoples, with Pacific peoples typically faring worse than Non-Pacific. Prior evidence has shown that differing cultural values and communication factors is a facet that Pacific Peoples have reported as a barrier to seeking healthcare. Fa’afaletui, a Samoan philosophical concept, literally means “ways of weaving together different groups/houses”, and is embedded in Samoan values of family, faith, spirituality and respect. Weaving is an important concept to this approach – signifying the collectiveness of people coming together and through talanoa (speech; weaving of dialogue), discussing issues to provide meaningful resolution. The framework provides a way for healthcare professionals to connect their provision of care with Samoan notions of healing and health – strongly linked to family, spirituality and sense of community. This presentation will outline core components of the approach and ways it can be integrated into provision of care.

Speakers