'Palliative care': a contradiction in terms? A qualitative study of cancer patients with a Turkish or Moroccan background, their relatives and care providers

BMC Palliative Care

Research Article

Fuusje M de Graaff¹  Sjaak van der Geest¹  Anneke L Francke²  Maria ETC van den Muijsenbergh³ 

[1] Medical Anthropology & Sociology Unit, University of Amsterdam, Oudezijds Achterburgwal 185, 1012, DKAmsterdam, The Netherlands;NIVEL (Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research), PB 1568, 3500, BN, Utrecht, The Netherlands;VU University Medical centre (EMGO+), PB 7057, 1007, MB, Amsterdam, The Netherlands;Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, PB 91026500, HC, Nijmegen, The Netherlands;Pharos (Knowledge and advisory centre on refugees, migrants and health), PB 13318, 3507 LH, Utrecht, The Netherlands;

关键词: Care Provider;    Palliative Care;    Good Care;    Advanced Care Planning;    Curative Care;   

DOI  :  10.1186/1472-684X-9-19

 received in 2010-01-13, accepted in 2010-09-10,  发布年份 2010

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundPalliative cancer care aims to improve quality of life and ultimately quality of dying, while prolonging life is not an objective anymore when death nears. The question is, however, whether these perspectives on palliative care are congruent with the perspectives of immigrant families with a Turkish or Moroccan background.MethodsA qualitative design was used as we were looking for the personal views of 'very ill' cancer patients with a Turkish or Moroccan background, their family members and their Dutch care providers. We interviewed 83 people, involved in 33 cases to obtain information about their views, values and norms on 'good care'.ResultsThe main concerns about 'good care' expressed by Turkish and Moroccan families were: maximum treatment and curative care until the end of their lives, never having hope taken away, devoted care by their families, avoiding shameful situations, dying with a clear mind and being buried in their own country. Their views conflict, to some extent, with the dominant principles in palliative care, for example, the emphasis on quality of life and advanced care planning, which includes discussing diagnosis and prognosis with the patient.ConclusionsPatients and their families with a Turkish or Moroccan background often have different ideas about 'good care' than their Dutch care providers. As many of them are aiming at cure until the end of life, they find 'good palliative care' a contradiction in terms.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© de Graaff et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. 2010