Implementation of Palliative Care in Palestine: Cultural and Religious Perspectives

Seir, Rania Abu; Kharroubi, Akram

doi:10.17140/pmhcoj-se-1-102

Cited by 13 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…However, feelings such as fear of death and dying are found equally among all people. Our study, similarly to an earlier study from the region (Abu Seir & Kharroubi, 2017), demonstrated that the basic principles of PC are independent of a patient's ethnic background, religion or culture. Medical professionals involved in this study had very different wishes regarding their own dying.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

Nurturing Socioculturally and Medically Appropriate Palliative Care Delivery: Lessons Learned by Israeli Medical Faculty

et al. 2022

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Israel is one of the few countries worldwide with a national policy and defined standards of palliative care (PC); its culture is highly diverse and more traditionally oriented in comparison with Western countries. This study describes the current state of PC in Israel through examination of: (1) its current status, self-image and structural factors; (2) its relation to cultural and political characteristics; and (3) the chances, goals and obstacles of advancing PC in Israel. Face-to-face interviews were conducted at all five public medical faculties in Israel from November 2017 to February 2018. The following findings are reported: (1) definition of palliative care, (2) multidisciplinary approach, (3) special role of nurses, (4) personal perceptions of death, (5) understanding the role of medicine, (6) specialty palliative medicine, (7) religious, spiritual and cultural aspects, (8) political and economic aspects, (9) obstacles and weaknesses, and (10) prospects and goals of palliative care. Participants perceive PC as an integrative healthcare service that should be available to all patients, including children and their families, at any stage of illness. They internalize that PC principles apply regardless of ethnic, cultural, and religious background. Utilizing nurses’ leadership, enhancing multidisciplinary teamwork, and person-centered approach, supports better PC to more people.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

Nurturing Socioculturally and Medically Appropriate Palliative Care Delivery: Lessons Learned by Israeli Medical Faculty

et al. 2022

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“…According to Palestinian Bureau of statistics life expectancy for Palestinian males is 72.1 y and for females 75.2 y (statistics, 2016). Due to high fertility rate and high proportion of younger population, older Palestinian population ≥ 65 was only 2.9% of total population in 2000(Abu Seir & Kharroubi, 2017).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors Associated with history of Fall among Elderly people in Southern West Bank

Natour

Jaradat

Badrasawi

2020

Preprint

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Background Elderly men and women have higher risk of fall due to various factors including malnutrition, decreased muscle mass, decreased functional capacity, cognitive impairment and depression. Among Palestinian older adults fall history yet to be studied in term of prevalence and correlates. Objective The primary objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of fall and the differences in fallers and non-fallers among a group of Palestinian elderly living in rural areas in Southern West Bank region of Hebron. Methods The study included 142 participants from two villages: Se'ar and Bani Na'em , Hebron governance. Demographic variables and fall history was collected by a pre-tested structured questionnaire. Anthropometric measurement were used to assess nutritional status; physical function was assessed by activity of daily living and instrumental activity of daily living, level of fitness was assessed using senior fitness test. Geriatric scale for depression was used to assess depression and Montreal cognitive assessment test was used to evaluate mild cognitive impairment. Results : 51.7% of study participants were females, the mean age 69.5± 5.7 years old. Positive fall history was present among 11.7% mostly females. Significant relationship with fall was found with larger waist and hip circumference, cognitive impairment, higher level of dependency and slower performance in time up and go (TUG) p<0.05. Conclusion Fall history has considerable prevalence among the study sample and it is correlated with nutritional status, cognitive and physical function. The findings of the study recommend educational and intervention programs to enhance the nutritional status, physical fitness and cognitive function among Palestinian elderly. Further research are needed to determine the risk factors of fall utilizing longitudinal study design and intervention studies to optimize intervention model to enhance the health status and decrease the risk of fall.

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“…Another significant issue is the consistent shortage of medications at the governmental hospitals that patients are required to take home for their treatment. This is a persistent issue ( 12 , 28 ). Specifically, the lack of pain medications highlights the absence of a palliative care program in cancer care, confirmed by the oncologists participating in the study.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Access to advanced cancer care services in the West Bank-occupied Palestinian territory

et al. 2023

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IntroductionUniversal Health Coverage (UHC) identifies the provision of palliative care for people with advanced disease as an essential health service. Palliative care is also stipulated as a human right under existing covenants. Oncology services provided by the Palestinian Authority under Israeli military occupation are limited to surgery and chemotherapy treatment. Our study aimed to describe the experiences of patients with advanced-stage cancer in the West Bank in accessing oncology services and meeting their health care needs.MethodologyWe conducted a qualitative study among adult patients diagnosed with advanced lung, colon, or breast cancer in three Palestinian governmental hospitals, and with oncologists. Thematic analysis was conducted on the verbatim interview transcripts.ResultsThe sample consisted of 22 Palestinian patients (10 men and 12 women) and 3 practicing oncologists. The findings reveal that cancer care is fragmented, with limited access to the services needed. Patients face referral delays in accessing treatment which worsen their health condition in some cases. Some patients reported difficulties in getting Israeli permits to access radiotherapy treatment in East-Jerusalem, and others experienced interruptions of their chemotherapy treatment sessions due to the unavailability of chemotherapy medications caused by Israeli-side delays. Other reported problems were related to the Palestinian health system and service delivery and quality, including fragmentation of services, infrastructure issues, and unavailability of medications. Advanced diagnostic services and palliative care are almost absent at Palestinian governmental hospitals, and patients need to seek these services in the private sector.ConclusionThe data demonstrate specific access restrictions to cancer care in the West Bank due to Israeli military occupation of Palestinian land. This affects all stages of the care pathway, from restricted diagnosis services, to limited treatment and then poor availability of palliative care. Cancer patients will continue to suffer if the root causes of these structural constraints are not addressed.

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Implementation of Palliative Care in Palestine: Cultural and Religious Perspectives

Abstract: CitationAbu Seir A, Kharroubi A. Implementation of palliative care in palestine: Cultural and religious perspectives.

Cited by 13 publications

References 9 publications

Nurturing Socioculturally and Medically Appropriate Palliative Care Delivery: Lessons Learned by Israeli Medical Faculty

Nurturing Socioculturally and Medically Appropriate Palliative Care Delivery: Lessons Learned by Israeli Medical Faculty

Factors Associated with history of Fall among Elderly people in Southern West Bank

Access to advanced cancer care services in the West Bank-occupied Palestinian territory

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