One of the first reports in the UK to draw much needed attention to the palliative care needs and experiences of minority ethnic older people. The report discusses ethnic disparities in health and clinical outcomes, highlights evidence suggesting poorer access to palliative care services for minority ethnic older people and draws attention to good practices and projects in the palliative care field aimed at reducing inequalities in palliative care. The hope is that this publication will generate greater awareness and discussion of the issues addressed and help palliative care services to develop innovative approaches to addressing the palliative care needs of minority ethnic older people.
One of the first reports in the UK to draw much needed attention to the palliative care needs and experiences of minority ethnic older people. The report discusses ethnic disparities in health and clinical outcomes, highlights evidence suggesting poorer access to palliative care services for minority ethnic older people and draws attention to good practices and projects in the palliative care field aimed at reducing inequalities in palliative care. The hope is that this publication will generate greater awareness and discussion of the issues addressed and help palliative care services to develop innovative approaches to addressing the palliative care needs of minority ethnic older people.
Subject terms:
older people, palliative care, black and minority ethnic people, ethnicity, health needs;
Ethnicity and Inequalities in Health and Social Care, 1(1), June 2008, pp.9-17.
Publisher:
Emerald
This article provides a critical examination of cultural competence approaches, using the findings of a development project in the black voluntary sector that aimed to increase awareness of palliative care amongst older people and carers from groups most commonly referred to in the UK as being 'minority ethnic'. The project involved narrative interviews with a convenience sample of 33 older people and carers and 11 focus groups with a convenience sample of 56 health and social care professionals. The findings from the interviews suggest that assumptions about culture and about care as competence that inform cultural competence models can have significant drawbacks for both service users and health and social care professionals. The article further argues that cultural competence fails to fully recognise illness and care as occasions marked by profound moral and ethical demands.
This article provides a critical examination of cultural competence approaches, using the findings of a development project in the black voluntary sector that aimed to increase awareness of palliative care amongst older people and carers from groups most commonly referred to in the UK as being 'minority ethnic'. The project involved narrative interviews with a convenience sample of 33 older people and carers and 11 focus groups with a convenience sample of 56 health and social care professionals. The findings from the interviews suggest that assumptions about culture and about care as competence that inform cultural competence models can have significant drawbacks for both service users and health and social care professionals. The article further argues that cultural competence fails to fully recognise illness and care as occasions marked by profound moral and ethical demands.
Subject terms:
multicultural approach, older people, palliative care, religious beliefs, user views, carers, black and minority ethnic people, cultural identity, ethics;
This article discusses findings from a new project on experiences of life-limiting illness and care among minority ethnic elders, carers and health and social care professionals. The project used narrative interviews with older people, carers and health and social care professionals to gather stories about how old age, ethnicity, culture and faith can affect experiences of life-limiting illness and care. It highlights the ways in which social work can support the care choices of older people from ethnic minorities.
This article discusses findings from a new project on experiences of life-limiting illness and care among minority ethnic elders, carers and health and social care professionals. The project used narrative interviews with older people, carers and health and social care professionals to gather stories about how old age, ethnicity, culture and faith can affect experiences of life-limiting illness and care. It highlights the ways in which social work can support the care choices of older people from ethnic minorities.
Subject terms:
older people, palliative care, social workers, terminal illness, user views, ageing, carers, black and minority ethnic people;
This article uses analysis of focus group discussions with palliative care professionals in the United Kingdom to discuss the value of a stance of cultural vulnerability in intercultural social work. Interviews were carried out with older people and carers from racialized minorities (n=33) and health and social care professionals (n=56). The main professional groups interviewed were nurses (n=30) and social workers (n=16). Cultural vulnerability recognizes mutual vulnerabilities in caring relationships. The meanings and potential of cultural vulnerability are explicated through an in-depth case study analysis of a group interview with hospice social workers. Narrative methods are advocated as a resource in supporting practitioners to recognize cultural vulnerability and to work with indeterminacy and difficult emotions. The representation and role of cultural knowledge and racism in social work narratives is given specific attention.
(Edited publisher abstract)
This article uses analysis of focus group discussions with palliative care professionals in the United Kingdom to discuss the value of a stance of cultural vulnerability in intercultural social work. Interviews were carried out with older people and carers from racialized minorities (n=33) and health and social care professionals (n=56). The main professional groups interviewed were nurses (n=30) and social workers (n=16). Cultural vulnerability recognizes mutual vulnerabilities in caring relationships. The meanings and potential of cultural vulnerability are explicated through an in-depth case study analysis of a group interview with hospice social workers. Narrative methods are advocated as a resource in supporting practitioners to recognize cultural vulnerability and to work with indeterminacy and difficult emotions. The representation and role of cultural knowledge and racism in social work narratives is given specific attention.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
palliative care, multicultural approach, ethnicity, death, emotions, racism, social workers, nurses, older people, case studies, black and minority ethnic people, cultural identity;