Kokua Na'auao: Learn Through Service. Improving the health of Native Hawaiians by incorporating Native Hawaiian values into workforce recruitment and selection

BACKGROUND: The Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship Program (NHHSP) created by the Native Hawaiian Healthcare Improvement Act of 1991 supports the improvement of Native Hawaiian health through the creation of a Native Hawaiian health workforce employed in Hawai`i medically underserved areas. This presentation will describe how NHHSP incorporated Native Hawaiian values through the guidance of kupuna (elders) into the recruitment, selection and cultural training of its scholars. To our knowledge, this is the first attempt to incorporate Native values into a service obligated scholarship program in order to ensure scholars are culturally suitable to the Native population with whom they will be working. METHODS: In 2006, a program evaluation surveyed 104 alumni of NHHSP. 53 respondents (51%) completed the survey. Statistical testing was conducted using t-tests and an analysis of data is described. FINDINGS: The program evaluation indicated that NHHSP is an effective program with a significant positive impact on Native Hawaiian health in Hawai'i. Several themes emerged that will be described. Implications for generalizing a value-based Native program will be discussed. LEARNING OBJECTIVES: 1. Understand the significance of incorporating Native Hawaiian values into healthcare programs serving Native Hawaiians. 2. Identify at least 2 factors affecting the retention of Native Hawaiian health workforce in Hawai'i Medically Underserved areas. 3. Learn how impact or the improvement of Native Hawaiian health can be indirectly measured through the development of a culturally competent Native Hawaiian workforce.