Coordinator research program Nursing Care and Elderly Care; endowed professor 'Nursing and care at the end of life', VU University Medical Center Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Publicatie
Views of Turkish and Moroccan immigrants on ‘good care’ in the palliative phase of cancer.
Graaff, F. de, Francke, A., Muijsenberg, M. van den, Geest, S. van der. Views of Turkish and Moroccan immigrants on ‘good care’ in the palliative phase of cancer. Journal of Clinical Nursing: 2010, 19(suppl. 1), p. 65. Abstract. 4th European Nursing Congress 'Older Persons. The Future of Care', 4-5 oktober 2010, Rotterdam.
Introduction: Palliative 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 tally with the perspectives of immigrant families with a Turkish or Moroccan background. Methods and Materials: A 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’. Results: The 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 openly discussing diagnosis and prognosis with the patient. Conclusion: Patients and families with a Turkish or Moroccan background often have different ideas about ‘good care’ from 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. (aut. ref.)
Introduction: Palliative 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 tally with the perspectives of immigrant families with a Turkish or Moroccan background. Methods and Materials: A 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’. Results: The 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 openly discussing diagnosis and prognosis with the patient. Conclusion: Patients and families with a Turkish or Moroccan background often have different ideas about ‘good care’ from 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. (aut. ref.)