The School of Physiotherapy congratulates the Physiotherapy recipients of HRC's latest career development round. The five recipients of the awards will be based within the School's research Centre (CHARR) to work on Summer studentships, a research masters, and a PhD.
HRC Māori Summer Studentship recipients
Three undergraduate physiotherapists have been awarded HRC Māori summer studentships.
Pictured above: Mieka Taylor, Leon Harris, and Tali Wilson-Munday.
Leon Harris (Te Rarawa)
Leon's project will look at 'Kaitiaki experiences of adolescence care following sports injury' He is supervised by Gisela Sole, and supported by Pete Gallagher, Matt Carrington (Te Whakatōhea), Sarah Walker, Stuart Kay , Marara Rogers-Koroheke.
For Leon "This research studentship will enable me to continue developing as a student Physiotherapist by allowing me to incorporate a more Te Ao Maori perspective into my work."
Tali Wilson-Munday (Ngati Kahungunu, Ngati Kahu-ki-whangaroa, Nga Puhi)
Tali's project is titled the 'Implementation of Tikanga Māori into clinical practice by Physiotherapy graduate ' She is co-cupervised by Katrina Bryant (Waitaha, Kāti Māmoe, Kāi Tahu) and Witana Petley (Ngāi Te Rangi me Ngāti Porou).
Tali is pleased with the award as "This studentship gives me the opportunity to learn more about Te Ao Maori and Tikanga and how they can be integrated into the physiotherapy profession to serve and benefit indigenous New Zealanders and to strive towards equitable health outcomes."
Mieka Taylor (Ngāti Raukawa, Te Arawa)
Mieka's research question asks 'What are the perceptions and beliefs of caregivers of Māori children who attend a Māori centred childcare facility?' She is supervised primarily by Elizabeth Carrington, and supported by Meredith Perry, Donna Smith, Toroa Pōhatu, Oka Sanerivi, Katrina Bryant (Waitaha, Kāti Māmoe, Kāi Tahu ).
"I'm really grateful for the opportunity and excited to learn more about research and how it all works.
Māori-centred childcare is such a valuable resource for whānau, and by exploring key components of these facilities we hope to contribute to culturally responsive care and promote engagement with Māori whānau."
HRC Māori Masters Scholarship
Elisabeth Dacker (Kāi Tahu, Waitaha, Kāti Māmoe, Ngāti Raukawa)
Elisabeth is the recipient an HRC Māori Masters Scholarship. Her project is entitled 'The effects of urinary incontinence on Māori women's health and wellbeing' Elisabeth will be supported in her project by Daniela Aldabe, Katrina Bryant (Waitaha, Kāti Māmoe, Kāi Tahu), Robin Quigg (Ngāti Raukawa). Elisabeth's project is part of the MPhty (Research) degree at the School of Physiotherapy.
Urinary incontinence is a global health problem which affects approximately one-third of women in their lifetimes. It is an embarrassing condition associated with poor quality of life and other negative health outcomes. One small study in 1994 suggests prevalence is significantly higher in Māori women, affecting nearly half. Despite the gravity of this statistic, there has been no further research on urinary incontinence in this demographic. It is well documented that Māori woman additionally have a higher prevalence of other comorbidities, such as obesity and diabetes. Through kaupapa Māori and grounded theory methodology, this qualitative study aims to explore the impact of urinary incontinence on Māori women's health and wellbeing.
The goal of HRC's Masters scholarships are that they 'should build an evidence base that contributes to Māori health gains, derived from high-quality Māori health research that upholds rangatiratanga and uses and advances Māori knowledge, resources, and people' Health Research Council NZ 2021
Pacific Health Clinical Training Fellowship
Oka Sanerivi
Oka is the recipient of the Pacific Health Clinical Training Fellowship that will support him to study toward a PhD degree on 'Culturally responsive physiotherapy approaches to working with Pacific families' His study is supported by Professor Leigh Hale, Associate Professor Faafetai Sopoaga, Mr Christopher Higgs, Dr Byron Seiuli, Dr Samantha Holdsworth, Leigh Potter, Dr Patrick McHugh, and Professor Alec Ekeroma, ONZM.
This study explores the cultural knowledge, specifically pertaining to health, of Samoan families and physiotherapists living across Aotearoa New Zealand and Samoa. This knowledge will be gleaned through Talanoa interviews with participants in person or via web-conferencing platforms (Zoom app). The themes from the interviews will be analysed using the Kakala methodology and synthesised to construct a clinical practice guideline or model of care. This guideline will then be presented to the key physiotherapy professional bodies in Aotearoa for feedback via focus groups. Information from the participant interviews and the focus groups will be integrated to finalise the guideline that will then be widely disseminated through the key professional organisations. A specific focus of the dissemination of the findings will be to inform the position of the Physiotherapy Board of New Zealand on physiotherapy service provision for Pacific peoples in Aotearoa.
The goal of HRC's Pacific Health Clinical Training Fellowship provides 'an opportunity for medical, dental and allied health professionals, who have a current clinical role, to undertake a PhD or equivalent qualification.' Health Research Council NZ 2021
Further information
For further information about the opportunities available through HRC www.hrc.govt.nz and to explore pathways for working with the School of Physiotherapy and our research centre CHARR (Centre for Health, Activity, and Rehabilitation Research) see our Centre's page or contact us a physio.research@otago.ac.nz