Publication Date
Fall 2024
Abstract
The rising prevalence of chronic illnesses, particularly cancer, and aging populations in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) underscore the urgent need for palliative care. Palliative care (PC) improves the quality of life for patients and families facing life-threatening illnesses by addressing physical, psychological, and spiritual suffering. However, cultural barriers impede its implementation, particularly in LMICs. This paper identifies some of these barriers, including the widely held misconceptions of palliative care, inadequate truth-telling practices, and insufficient attention to patients' diverse spiritual needs. It also highlights systemic obstacles such as limited resources, a lack of trained personnel, and inadequate government prioritization. This study identifies strategies for overcoming these challenges using a mixed- methods approach, including interviews with PC experts and a literature review. Recommendations include integrating culturally relevant training for healthcare workers, adopting shared decision-making models, and providing public education to address misconceptions. Furthermore, tailoring spiritual care to patients' religious and cultural contexts is critical. Governments must prioritize PC within healthcare policies to achieve universal health coverage and mitigate preventable suffering. By embracing patient-centered, culturally sensitive approaches, healthcare systems can bridge disparities in care, alleviate global suffering, and fulfill the moral imperative of equitable PC access.
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences | Social and Behavioral Sciences
Recommended Citation
Phelan, Kyra, "The Cultural Dimensions of Palliative Care: Exploring Barriers to Effective Care Provision in Low and Middle-Income Countries" (2024). Switzerland: Global Health and Development Policy. 3.
https://digitalcollections.sit.edu/szh2/3