Inequities in health care: lessons from New Zealand : A qualitative interview study about the cultural safety theory

Sammanfattning: BACKGROUND: According to the World Health Organisation, the indigenous Māori are reportedly the most marginalised ethnic group with the poorest health status in New Zealand. Cultural safety theory is a part of nursing programmes in New Zealand with the aim to reduce inequities within the health care system. AIM: The aim of this study is to illuminate nurses’ views about the cultural safety theory in relation to inequities within the health care system in New Zealand. METHOD: A qualitative empirical approach based on semi-structured indepth interviews was applied. Six interviews were conducted and data was analysed using Graneheim and Lundmans manifest content analysis. RESULTS: Two categories were identified and became representative as a result, Nursing Strategies and Working with Challenges. CONCLUSION: The findings in this study suggest that nurses’ have an overall positive attitude towards working with cultural safety theory and believe the theory to be an opportunity to change attitudes, and be a potential tool to reduce inequities within the health care system. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Illuminating nurses’ perspectives about cultural safety can contribute to a better understanding of working with different cultures and hopefully reduce inequities within the health care system.