Background: Culture and religion influence lived experience and particularly dying and grieving. Research has largely focused on exploring culturally and religiously sensitive practices, but not necessarily in palliative and hospice care or across nations. Acquired knowledge from the more advanced end-of-life care systems (eg the UK) tends to be generalized to other contexts where its cultural appropriation is not tested. Aim: This study explored the different qualities, among hospice and palliative professionals in Cyprus, describing cultural competence, cultural humility, and religious literacy. Design: A cross-sectional study of 41 palliative and hospice professionals in Cyprus, with the use of a 5-point Likert style questionnaire (a = 0.898). Setting: The study took place in Cyprus and participants were recruited from across palliative and hospice care organizations, including the only hospice in Cyprus, Cyprus Association of Cancer Patients and Friends (PASYKAF), and the Cyprus Anti-Cancer Society (CACS). Results: This study found that there are four main qualities that lead to effective culturally and religiously sensitive practice—informed decision-making, respect, adaptability, and nonjudgmental practice. Conclusions: Future education and training of professionals can consider these findings to appropriate approaches in practice that fit the Cypriot end-of-life care context more effectively.
1. Rodgers, YA, Potocky, M. Evaluating culturally sensitive practice through single-system design: methodological issues and strategies. Res Soc Work Pract. 1997;7(3):391-401.
Google Scholar |
SAGE Journals |
ISI2. Pentaris, P . Religious Literacy in Hospice Care: Challenges and Controversies. Routledge; 2019.
Google Scholar3. Al-Krenawi, A, Graham, JR. Culturally sensitive social work practice with Arab clients in mental health settings. Health Soc Work. 2000;25(1):9-22.
Google Scholar |
Crossref |
Medline |
ISI4. Danso, R . Cultural competence and cultural humility: a critical reflection on key cultural diversity concepts. J Soc Work. 2018;18(4):410-430.
Google Scholar |
SAGE Journals |
ISI5. Pentaris, P, Christodoulou, P. Knowledge and attitudes of hospice and palliative care professionals toward diversity and religious literacy in Cyprus: a cross-sectional study. J Palliat Med. 2020;24(2):233-239. doi:
10.1089/jpm.2020.0011 Google Scholar |
Crossref6. Yanow, D . Interpretive analysis and comparative research. In: Engeli, I, Allison, CR, eds. Comparative Policy Studies. Palgrave Macmillan; 2014:131-159.
Google Scholar |
Crossref7. Pentaris, P, Thomsen, LL. Cultural and religious diversity in hospice and palliative care: a qualitative cross-country comparative analysis of the challenges of health-care professionals. Omega (Westport). 2020;81(4):648-669.
Google Scholar |
SAGE Journals |
ISI8. Purnell, LD, Fenkl, EA. Handbook for Culturally Competent Care. Springer; 2019.
Google Scholar |
Crossref9. Crabtree, SA, Husain, F, Spalek, B. Islam and Social Work: Culturally Sensitive Practice in a Diverse World. Policy Press; 2016.
Google Scholar10. Lawrence, P, Rozmus, C. Culturally sensitive care of the Muslim patient. J Transcult Nurs. 2001;12(3):228-233.
Google Scholar |
SAGE Journals11. Maguen, S, Shipherd, JC, Harris, HN. Providing culturally sensitive care for transgender patients. Cogn Behav Pract. 2005;12(4):479-490.
Google Scholar |
Crossref12. King, G, Desmarais, C, Lindsay, S, Piérart, G, Tétreault, S. The roles of effective communication and client engagement in delivering culturally sensitive care to immigrant parents of children with disabilities. Disabil Rehabil. 2015;37(15):1372–1381.
Google Scholar |
Crossref |
Medline13. Scholes, J, Moore, D. Clinical exchange: one model to achieve culturally sensitive care. Nurs Inquiry. 2000;7(1):61-71.
Google Scholar |
Crossref |
Medline14. Luper, S . The Philosophy of Death. Cambridge University Press; 2009.
Google Scholar |
Crossref
Comments (0)