Research shows marked disparities in perinatal deaths across population groups in the UK. The aim of this study was to understand how perinatal palliative care is experienced by parents from culturally-diverse backgrounds and to understand the challenges facing the health and social care professionals working to support them. Twenty-one ...
Research shows marked disparities in perinatal deaths across population groups in the UK. The aim of this study was to understand how perinatal palliative care is experienced by parents from culturally-diverse backgrounds and to understand the challenges facing the health and social care professionals working to support them. Twenty-one health and social care professionals and four parents from across England and Wales participated in interviews or focus groups. Thematic analysis revealed three core themes impacting experiences of care: 1) Obstacles and opportunities for effective communication, 2) Religious, spiritual, ethical and moral considerations, and 3) The need for continuing professional development. The Cultural Humility model was applied to the research findings to enhance applications of theory to practice and policy in perinatal care. Participants identified resource constraints, language barriers, cultural stereotyping and discrimination, and a lack of training around culturally sensitive care as core elements negatively influencing practice and exacerbating uncertainties and fears around perinatal palliative care. When considering the vast need of culturally diverse families in perinatal palliative care and the importance of religion, faith, and spirituality, it appears of paramount importance to consider cultural humility within and across intrapersonal, individual, and organisational levels and how these pertain to care.
