Acceptability and exploratory efficacy of a Māori-led injury prevention and care model for older Māori in primary care in Aotearoa New Zealand: pilot study

Posted by on 21 June 2025

Tags:

Hikaka J, Cavadino A, Ihimaera L, Taylor L, Maxwell-Crawford K, Merito P, Vercoe H, Li M, Kool B, Parsons J, Aramoana-Arlidge B & Kerse N. Acceptability and exploratory efficacy of a Māori-led injury prevention and care model for older Māori in primary care in Aotearoa New Zealand: pilot study. J R Soc NZ 2025;55:2233-54. doi: 10.1080/03036758.2025.2525222

25 Hikaka publication 3

Abstract

In Aotearoa New Zealand, healthcare access inequities exist for unintentional injuries between older Māori and non-Māori. We investigated the acceptability and exploratory efficacy of a co-designed paeārahi (navigator)-led injury prevention and care model for koeke (older Māori) in a prospective, non-randomised, pilot study. We enrolled 192 community-dwelling older Māori participants (≥ 55 years) from three primary healthcare clinics. The primary outcome was intervention acceptability, using an acceptability framework and kaupapa Māori theory to analyse focus group and interview data. Exploratory efficacy outcomes included changes in mobility, fall rates, koeke confidence in injury care, and healthcare utilisation. 132 koeke (mean ± SD age: 68.3 ± 8.5 years) completed the study, and 25 people participated in acceptability data collection (focus groups/interviews). The care model was acceptable to koeke, whānau (family), paeārahi and other health providers, and perceived as having a positive impact across multiple wellbeing domains and improving koeke and whānau control over healthcare. Paeārahi working within healthcare teams contributed to acceptability by assisting with referrals and healthcare access. Participants’ confidence in preventing injury and accessing support increased (p = 0.004 and p = 0.009, respectively). Although assessment points need streamlining, these findings support further evaluation of this model among koeke in more community settings.

You can also help by

  • Spreading the word about what we do / share this newsletter
  • Donating your time to the Friends Supporters to help with fundraising and committee work
  • Encouraging your children and grandchildren to invest in their futures by donating time and money (a baby girl born today has a 1 in 3 chance of living to 100 , a boy 1 in 4 and is likely to be fitter and healthier–think about the implications of that)
  • Consider a bequest