Lay summary
The patient-practitioner relationship is increasingly identified as an important determinant of engagement in, and health outcomes following, neurorehabilitation. However, research identifying its core components is limited, with very little exploring how practitioners might better work with patients to optimise outcomes. In addition, despite the links between the patient-practitioner relationship and outcome, there is a notable lack of research about the unique perspectives of Maori and their whanau. This qualitative study will explore Maori -specific perspectives of what matters most to them in the development of a quality patient-practitioner relationship.
Maori are disproportionately represented in neurological populations and their outcomes remain poor. Identifying how to improve Maori outcomes is therefore crucial. Given Maori have reduced access to services from primary through to tertiary care, gaining an understanding of how Maori perceive the patient-practitioner relationship, taking into account their cultural background, may inform practice developments that enhance access.