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Journal of Primary Health Care Journal of Primary Health Care Society
Journal of The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners
RESEARCH ARTICLE (Open Access)

Improving gout education from patients’ perspectives: a focus group study of Māori and Pākehā people with gout

Cassandra J. Rolston 1 8 , Tamlin S. Conner 1 8 , Lisa K. Stamp 2 , Tia Neha 3 , Suzanne Pitama 4 , Niamh Fanning 2 , Ron Janes 5 , Andrea Judd 6 , Ben Hudson 7 , Roisin M. Hegarty 1 , Gareth J. Treharne 1
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

1 Department of Psychology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand

2 Department of Medicine, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand

3 School of Psychology, Victoria University, Wellington, New Zealand

4 Māori/Indigenous Health Institute, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand

5 Wairoa Medical Centre, Wairoa, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand

6 Kaikoura Medical Centre, Kaikoura, New Zealand

7 Department of General Practice, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand

8 These two authors contributed equally to this paper

Correspondence to: Gareth J. Treharne, Department of Psychology, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand. Email: gareth.treharne@otago.ac.nz

Journal of Primary Health Care 10(3) 194-200 https://doi.org/10.1071/HC18010
Published: 4 October 2018

Journal Compilation © Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners 2018.
This is an open access article licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Gout is a common form of arthritis that is typically managed in primary care. Gout management guidelines emphasise patient education for successful treatment outcomes, but there is limited literature about the educational experiences of people living with gout in New Zealand, particularly for Māori, who have higher gout prevalence and worse gout outcomes than Pākehā.

AIM: To explore gout patient education in primary care from the perspectives of Māori and Pākehā people with gout.

METHODS: In total, 69 people with gout were recruited through primary care providers in three locations across New Zealand. Nine semi-structured focus groups were run with Māori and Pākehā participants in separate groups.

RESULTS: Thematic analysis yielded two themes in relation to gout education: (i) ‘Multiple sources of gout education’; and (ii) ‘Gaps in gout knowledge’. Participants received education from general practitioners, educational resources, family and friends, and their own experiences. Māori participants preferred information to be kanohi-ki-te-kanohi (face-to-face) and with significant others present where necessary. Participants disclosed gaps in gout’s epidemiology and management. Pākehā and Māori participants reported limited understanding of the genetic basis of gout or the biological underpinnings of the condition and its treatments, but learned treatment adherence through experience.

DISCUSSION: Despite improved gout patient education, knowledge gaps remain and may contribute to poor medication adherence. Gout patient education interventions need to be tailored to culture and incorporate suitable methods of disseminating information about gout management.

KEYWORDS: gout; health-care education; communication; Māori health services; qualitative trials


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