Voices of Care: Nurses' Perspectives on End-of-Life Care for Black/African American Patients.

Abstract

This qualitative study examines the distinct experiences of Black/African American nurses in providing end-of-life care to patients of the same racial background and their families. It fills a significant gap in existing research by focusing on the lived experiences and perceptions of Black/African American nurses, gathered through semistructured interviews. Using phenomenological analysis with Colaizzi's method, the study identified principal themes such as racial and ethnic disparities in treatment, challenges in pain management, the need for cultural sensitivity, and the significant influence of historical Black/African American patients' mistrust in health care interactions. The findings illustrate pervasive health care disparities, which are intensified by socioeconomic variables, cultural incompetence, and systemic bias. The nurses highlighted the urgent need for enhanced cultural competence in health care practices to ensure equitable treatment and patient-centric care. This research underscores the necessity for systemic reforms to improve cultural sensitivity and trust within health care services, advocating for comprehensive cultural competency training, greater diversity in health care representation, and effective mechanisms for reporting and addressing disparities. These measures are critical for improving health care outcomes and trust among Black/African American communities at the end of life.