Knowledge of Palliative Care: An Indian's Perspective

Sujatha Shanmugasundaram

doi:10.13189/nh.2014.020502

Abstract

Background: Globally, the demand for palliative care services is markedly increased for the past decade due to emerging chronic diseases and ageing population. As a result, the health system needs to recognise and meet the needs of the people with life limiting illness. Palliative care is a specialised discipline of health care with the aim of providing care for the patient with terminal illness. Furthermore, there is evidence that minority ethnic groups have lack of knowledge on palliative care services in Australia. Purpose: To explore the issues in accessing palliative care services in Australia and provide recommendations to improve access. Methods & design: The research design chosen was constructivist grounded theory approach. Ethics approval was obtained from the study setting and from the university. Data collection was carried out in two phases. Semi-structured interview guide was used to collect the data. An in-depth interview was conducted and each interview lasts for 45 min to one and half hours. Snow ball sampling technique was done to recruit the participants. The inclusion criteria were: first generation Indian migrants; who understands, read and write English; Indian people receiving or already received palliative care services. Data was analysed by using grounded theory analytic technique. Findings: After analysing the data, two major themes were identified: knowledge about health care services, and knowledge on palliative care services. Conclusion: Although palliative care services are delivered effectively across Australia, still there are issues in accessing palliative care services among minority ethnic groups. Therefore, identifying these gaps and fulfilling these needs are the major focus in the Australia health care system.

Highlights

While palliative care for patients with terminal illness in Australia has been progressed rapidly in the past decade, but many issues still need to be addressed and rectified [7]
The literature shows that minority groups of people living in Western countries such as the United Kingdom (UK), United States (US) and Australia have less access to the local health care system, palliative care services [4]
Knowledge about Australian Healthcare System. All those who participated in this study perceived they knew something about the Australian health care system

Summary

Introduction

While palliative care for patients with terminal illness in Australia has been progressed rapidly in the past decade, but many issues still need to be addressed and rectified [7]. The literature shows that minority groups of people living in Western countries such as the United Kingdom (UK), United States (US) and Australia have less access to the local health care system, palliative care services [4]. The purpose of this study was to explore the knowledge of palliative care services of the families of terminally ill migrant Indian people, whose relatives were receiving palliative care services, in either inpatient or home-based settings. Conclusion: palliative care services are delivered effectively across Australia, still there are issues in accessing palliative care services among minority ethnic groups Identifying these gaps and fulfilling these needs are the major focus in the Australia health care system

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion