Palliative care for older South Asian migrants: A systematic review

Abstract

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:sec id="S1478951519000397_sec_a1" sec-type="other"><jats:title>Objective</jats:title><jats:p>South Asian migrants have a higher burden of life-threatening diseases and chronic diseases compared to other ethnic groups. Yet, knowledge gaps remain around their palliative care needs in the host countries. The aim of the review was to present results from a systematic literature review of available international evidence on experiences with and perspectives on palliative care among older South Asian migrants, relatives, and healthcare providers.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec id="S1478951519000397_sec_a2" sec-type="methods"><jats:title>Methods</jats:title><jats:p>A systematic review in accordance with PRISMA guidelines was conducted in February 2018, searching PubMed, CINAHL, PsychINFO, and EMBASE databases. PROSPERO #CRD42018093464. Studies included empirical research, providing international evidence on experiences and perspectives on palliative care of South Asian migrants and were published between 2000 and 2018. Thematic synthesis was used to analyze data.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec id="S1478951519000397_sec_a3" sec-type="results"><jats:title>Results</jats:title><jats:p>A total of 30 articles were included: qualitative (24), quantitative (5), and mixed methods (1). Three main themes were discovered: 1) palliative care practice within the family, 2) trust as a precondition of palliative care, and 3) the importance of knowledge and cultural competency. All the themes, to a greater or lesser extent, are related to access to and use of palliative care services by South Asian migrant families.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec id="S1478951519000397_sec_a4" sec-type="other"><jats:title>Significance of results</jats:title><jats:p>Involvement of family members in palliative care decision making could improve the satisfaction of South Asian migrant families toward the service. For example, Advanced Care Planning involving family members could be a possible way to engage family members in palliative care decision making. Supportive interventions, e.g. providing knowledge, aimed at patients and their family members might improve knowledge and increase awareness among South Asian migrant families of palliative care. Knowledge gained from this review could be implemented with other ethnic minority groups.</jats:p></jats:sec>

Palliative Care Utilization Among Non-Western Migrants in Europe: A Systematic Review

“…The findings of this review are both consistent with and complementary to themes found elsewhere on migrants' PC in Europe and internationally [19,23,60,61]. Articles included in the current review discuss more explicitly the challenges at an individual level) rather than how economic and/or structural factors influence the utilization of PC among migrants.…”

La competencia cultural en la atención al final de la vida, una tarea pendiente

“…Algunos estudios reflejan que los cuidados recaen sobre todo en las figuras femeninas del sistema familiar (Shabnam et al, 2020).…”

“…En la toma de decisiones, las personas confían en la toma de decisiones compartidas con otros miembros de la familia, a menudo el hijo mayor (Shabnam et al, 2020) o el cónyuge (Khosla et al, 2019) es quien asume este rol. En las culturas sudasiáticas, a diferencia de las occidentales, la centralidad de las decisiones no está en la autonomía del individuo, sino el foco es la familia vista como un todo en el que se unen todos los miembros (Khosla et al, 2019).…”

Narrative review of home care for palliative patients in general practice

“…Overcoming language barriers is crucial in regard to patients' rights and when achieving informed consent is needed. Systematic review of 30 articles pointed out three main themes: "palliative care practice within the family, trust as a precondition of palliative care, and the importance of knowledge and cultural competency" (44)(45)(46)(47)(48)(49)(50)(51)(52)(53)(54)(55)(56).…”