Leanne Te Karu

speech abstract

Empowering the Patients – Whanau Staying well with Medicines

This national programme uses three strategies: health workforce training, social marketing and patient resources to improve uptake and appropriate use of medicines amongst Maori consumers.

A survey following a pilot of the programme with community health workers and primary care nurses showed an increase in how participants ranked there knowledge levels of medication from 5.9 pre-training to 7.6 post-training. Qualitative feedback provided overwhelming support and relevance for training of this type for this sector of the health workforce especially in relation to Maori culture and the ability to explain medicines and optimal use of medicines with their patients.

In addition, specific resources are in development and include: Patient education flipchart to compliment the training and patient held resources such as medicine lists and information of prescription subsidies.

biography

Leanne Te Karu, Mauapoko/Ngati Rangi.
Leanne has worked as a clinical pharmacist in Waikato, Turangi and
Taupo. She is currently a pharmacist with Taupo Hospital after being a
locum in both retail and public hospitals in Taupo and Turangi. She has
grown up, and lives in the predominantly Maori community in Turangi.

Leanne has long been concerned about disparities in health outcomes for
Maori and believes that many problems can be overcome by
approachability, rapport, basic te reo and observation of tikanga.

Leanne is also co-president of Nga Kaitiaki o Te Puna Rongoa o Aotearoa
- The Maori Pharmacists Association and is a keen sports person.

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