Katharina Blattner1, Tim Stokes2, Marara Rogers-Koroheke3, Garry Nixon4, Susan M Dovey5. 1. Rural Hospital Medicine and General Practice, Hauora Hokianga, Rawene, Northland; Senior Lecturer, Rural Section, Department of General Practice and Rural Health, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin. 2. Department of General Practice and Rural Health, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin. 3. Community Development and Community Trustee, Hauora Hokianga, Northland. 4. Nixon, Head Section of Rural Health, Department of General Practice and Rural Health, and Associate Dean Rural, University of Otago. 5. Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Primary Health Care (Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners), Twizel.
Abstract
AIM: Hokianga Health in New Zealand's far north is an established health service with a small rural hospital, serving a largely Māori community. The aim of this study was to gain insights into the wider roles of one rural hospital from the perspective of its staff. METHOD: Eleven face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted with employees of Hokianga Health, eight with past and current medical practitioners, three with senior non-medical staff. Interviews were recorded and transcribed. Thematic analysis of the interviews was undertaken using the Framework Method. RESULTS: Four main themes were identified: 'Our Context', emphasising geographical isolation; 'Continuity of Care', illustrating the role of the hospital across the primary-secondary interface; 'Navigation' of health services within and beyond Hokianga; and the concept of hospital as 'Home'. CONCLUSION: Findings highlight the importance of geographically appropriate, as well as culturally appropriate, health services. A hospital as part of a rural health service can enhance comprehensive and continuous care for a rural community. Study findings suggest rural hospitals should be viewed and valued as their own distinct entity rather than small-scale versions of larger urban hospitals.
AIM: Hokianga Health in New Zealand's far north is an established health service with a small rural hospital, serving a largely Māori community. The aim of this study was to gain insights into the wider roles of one rural hospital from the perspective of its staff. METHOD: Eleven face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted with employees of Hokianga Health, eight with past and current medical practitioners, three with senior non-medical staff. Interviews were recorded and transcribed. Thematic analysis of the interviews was undertaken using the Framework Method. RESULTS: Four main themes were identified: 'Our Context', emphasising geographical isolation; 'Continuity of Care', illustrating the role of the hospital across the primary-secondary interface; 'Navigation' of health services within and beyond Hokianga; and the concept of hospital as 'Home'. CONCLUSION: Findings highlight the importance of geographically appropriate, as well as culturally appropriate, health services. A hospital as part of a rural health service can enhance comprehensive and continuous care for a rural community. Study findings suggest rural hospitals should be viewed and valued as their own distinct entity rather than small-scale versions of larger urban hospitals.