By: Abby Akers

Bora Bora, Polynesia: French Speaking  Polynesia, Micronesia, and Melanesia  As many as 12 languages used.  Values: Family, community, spirituality, life, and health.

 Seniority is earned and appreciated. Respect is given by everyone younger.  Family consist of all types; blood, marriage, adoption, living, and deceased.  Deceased member are considered to be active.  Each community is close/ small family.

 Physical, Social, Mental, and Spiritual Care.  Lack of facilities and inadequate personnel.  They refuse to take on other’s values.  Family is always involved in the care given.

Matai Leader  Conflicts are resolved by the Matai.  Critical thinking is discouraged, may bring out dangerous spirits.  Everyone should live in their homeland.  You cannot change the course of a disease. (heart, cancer, diabetes)

A Natural Healing Facility.  They view other health care as uncaring, rude, and patronizing.  Identity’s and cultural pride are positive factors.  No Identity leads to multiple health problems.

 It is believed that alcohol/ drug blocks their path’s to spirituality.  The community is also involved.  They make sure it is culturally acceptable.  Storytelling can lead the patients through their life struggles and then through healing.

 The Providers Guide to Quality and Culture. 28 Jan Management Sciences for Health. erc.msh.org/mainpage.cfm?file=1.0. htm&module=provider&language=English& ggroup =&mgroup= erc.msh.org/mainpage.cfm?file=1.0. htm&module=provider&language=English& ggroup =&mgroup=