OBJECTIVE: To understand some of the cross-cultural issues in providing palliative care to aboriginal patients. SOURCES OF INFORMATION: MEDLINE (1966 to 2005), CINAHL, PsycINFO, Google Scholar, and the Aboriginal Health Collection at the University of Manitoba were searched. Studies were selected based on their focus on both general cross-cultural caregiving and, in particular, end-of-life decision making and treatment. Only 39 relevant articles were found, half of which were opinion pieces by experienced nonaboriginal professionals; 14 were qualitative research projects from nursing and anthropologic perspectives. MAIN MESSAGE: All patients are unique. Some cultural differences might arise when providing palliative care to aboriginal patients, who value individual respect along with family and community. Involvement of family and community members in decision making around end-of-life issues is common. Aboriginal cultures often have different approaches to telling bad news and maintaining hope for patients. Use of interpreters and various communication styles add to the challenge. CONCLUSION: Cultural differences exist between medical caregivers and aboriginal patients. These include different assumptions and expectations about how communication should occur, who should be involved, and the pace of decision making. Aboriginal patients might value indirect communication, use of silence, and sharing information and decision making with family and community members.
OBJECTIVE: To understand some of the cross-cultural issues in providing palliative care to aboriginal patients. SOURCES OF INFORMATION: MEDLINE (1966 to 2005), CINAHL, PsycINFO, Google Scholar, and the Aboriginal Health Collection at the University of Manitoba were searched. Studies were selected based on their focus on both general cross-cultural caregiving and, in particular, end-of-life decision making and treatment. Only 39 relevant articles were found, half of which were opinion pieces by experienced nonaboriginal professionals; 14 were qualitative research projects from nursing and anthropologic perspectives. MAIN MESSAGE: All patients are unique. Some cultural differences might arise when providing palliative care to aboriginal patients, who value individual respect along with family and community. Involvement of family and community members in decision making around end-of-life issues is common. Aboriginal cultures often have different approaches to telling bad news and maintaining hope for patients. Use of interpreters and various communication styles add to the challenge. CONCLUSION: Cultural differences exist between medical caregivers and aboriginal patients. These include different assumptions and expectations about how communication should occur, who should be involved, and the pace of decision making. Aboriginal patients might value indirect communication, use of silence, and sharing information and decision making with family and community members.
Authors: Udo Schüklenk; Johannes J M van Delden; Jocelyn Downie; Sheila A M McLean; Ross Upshur; Daniel Weinstock Journal: Bioethics Date: 2011-11 Impact factor: 1.898
Authors: Len Kelly; Barb Linkewich; Helen Cromarty; Natalie St Pierre-Hansen; Irwin Antone; Chris Giles; Chris Gilles Journal: Can Fam Physician Date: 2009-04 Impact factor: 3.275
Authors: Shaouli Shahid; Emma V Taylor; Shelley Cheetham; John A Woods; Samar M Aoun; Sandra C Thompson Journal: BMC Palliat Care Date: 2018-05-08 Impact factor: 3.234