Palliative care is an essential to the creation of a health and wellbeing continuum for Australians living with a chronic illness. It is an approach of care that seeks to improve the life of patients and family experiencing the effects of chronic illness. Palliative care centres on the relief of the symptoms and effects of disease and incorporate the physical, psychological and social dimensions of a person at the end of life. A recent focus for the delivery of palliative care by nurses to Indigenous communities is the consideration that culture can create barriers to the provision of appropriate and beneficial care for the dying or deceased person. This essay explores the palliative nurse caring for Indigenous communities and the need to consider …show more content…
The difference is that Indigenous people maintain a cyclic nature of death and return to the land whereas a contemporary Western view sees transitions as a need for families to cope and understand the “fading away of a person” (Ferrell & Coyle, 2010). The palliative care nurse needs to appreciate that in Indigenous communities, large numbers of Indigenous people may be expected to visit the patient and talk amongst themselves to carry out “sorry business”. For the nurse it becomes paramount to facilitate this interaction and process through the development of rapport with family and community members to allow cooperation and mutual respect (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Branch, 2011). The importance of creating a therapeutic relationship that facilitates the freedom of the community in the palliative space and interaction between health professionals and Indigenous groups was shown by Pam McGrath in an interview with indigenous people caring for a palliative family member. McGrath reported the family member explaining that many of the issues they had to deal with regarded having to define to family members and health professionals who can actually help with the care of the patient (Mcgrath, …show more content…
For many Indigenous people the customs following the death of a family or community remember is called “sorry business’, an indicator to all that there has been a death in the community (NSW Department of Community Services, 2009). Sorry business refers to the customary protocols that some Indigenous cultures adhere to and include sending the spirit of the deceased person into the next world and identifying the cause of death (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Branch, 2011). For many Indigenous the cultures the spirit leaves the body upon death and the spirit must be assisted in its journey to next word. One of the customary protocols to assist the spirit include the practice of not mentioning the name of the deceased for months or years after the death (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Branch, 2011). Not mentioning the person’s name allows the spirit to be unhindered in its passing and therefore not recalled to the world it has
After reading the different stories in the book “Final Gifts”, I believe I have a better understanding of the nurse’s role in caring for the needs of the dying patient and how their families need to be guided through this experience. The different stories in this book provide insight into the experiences of the dying as well as how their loved ones cope with their loss. The authors Maggie Callahan and Patrician Kelly, experienced hospice nurses who have extensive exposure to dying patients and their families, through their shared stories, paint a picture of what the dying want. To many, death is a difficult concept.
Aboriginal health is majorly determined by several social factors that are related to their cultural beliefs. Health professionals regularly find it difficult to provide health care to aboriginal people due to the cultural disparity that exists between the conventional and aboriginal cultures, predominantly with regard to systems of health belief (Carson, Dunbar, & Chenhall, 2007). The discrepancy between the aboriginal culture and typical Western customs seems to amplify the difficulties experienced in every cross-cultural setting of health service delivery (Selin & Shapiro, 2003). Most of the social determinants of the aboriginal health are due to their strict belief in superstition and divine intervention.
Traditional healing methods were based upon traditional Aboriginal spirituality beliefs.(p18). This spiritual belief system stated that “people exist within this context as worthy creatures, but no more worthy than any other being. To live secure, healthy lives through acknowledging and respecting the spiritual as well as the physical world, because there is no difference between the two.”(p71). The whole Aboriginal culture was based around these beliefs. Everyone in the community was treated as equal with acknowledgment and respect. Therefore those who deemed to follow the cultural beliefs had no difficulty in understanding the healing practices of the people. This appreciation of equality and respect was an advantage to the Aboriginal people, especially within their healing methods.
In this essay the writer will discuss the colonisation of Australia, and the effects that dispossession had on indigenous communities. It will define health, comparing the difference between indigenous and non- indigenous health. It will point out the benefits and criticism of the Biomedical and sociological models of health, and state why it is important in healthcare to be culturally competent with Transcultural theory. The case study of Rodney will be analyzed to distinguish which models of health were applied to Rodney’s care, and if transcultural theory was present when health care workers were dealing with Rodney’s treatment plan.
...fficient training for health workers, communication barriers, a general mistrust in the health care system and culture shock has contributed to issues in delivering services to many Indigenous communities. The reason to why these issues have emerged is a result of two main factors, the lack of health services that are needed to address the issue and the silence of Indigenous communities which leads to misunderstanding between the government and Indigenous communities. Indigenous Australian’s experience this major disadvantage and neglect in the Australian society due to the poor healthcare system and policies that haven’t had a positive effect on the issue. For the issue of Indigenous health to be resolved, the Government and social policies need to address and meet the need of Indigenous people to overcome the poor health conditions that these communities suffer.
Introduction The purpose of this report is to compare and contrast two different nursing research articles. The report will critique and evaluate two qualitative studies, one being an original research report and the second being a review paper. The scope of comparison and contrast will include research design, theories or conceptual models, how the research was conducted, analysis and reporting of research data, usefulness of the research, and a conclusion. Selection of Research Interest Area
Thank you for taking time to read my letter. As a nursing student of University of Technology Sydney, I studied contemporary indigenous subject this semester. In this letter I want to illustrate 3 main social determinants of health that impact indigenous Australian health which I found and analysed during my recently study. And also offer some suggestion that could help the government improve aboriginal Australian mental health conditions in the future.
Death comes to all in the end, shrouded in mystery, occasionally bringing with it pain, and while some may welcome its finality, others may fight it with every ounce of their strength. Humans have throughout the centuries created death rituals to bring them peace and healing after the death of a loved one.
Minore, B., Boone, M., Katt, M., Kinch, P., & Birch, S. (2004). Addressing the realties of health care in northern aboriginal communities through participatory action research. Journal Of Interprofessional Care, 18(4), 360-368. doi:10.1080/13561820400011784
The service delivery will adopt Wanganeen (2011) seven phases to healing model. “For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People healing is a holistic process, which addresses mental, physical, emotional and spiritual needs and involves connections to culture, family and land” (Healing Foundation, para.1). The healing model would be beneficial to service delivery as it a holistic approach addressing the prolonged grief and loss experienced by Aboriginal and Torres strait Islander People Wanganeen (cited in Purdie, Dudgeon & Walker, 2010). What’s more, healing of the spirit is essential for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People that have experienced devastating grief and loss from colonisation (Briskman,2007)
The nurse becomes the confidant, the guide through the darkness, a source of comfort for those experiencing the trauma of losing a child. To successfully fulfill these nursing roles, in addition to roles that must be fulfilled to meet other patient’s needs, one must acknowledge their own definition of death and educate themselves on cultural and societal norms associated with death and dying. It is important to identify one’s own definition of death and dying but also understand that one’s preference does not define the death experience for others. The individuality and uniqueness of each death experience means that one definition of death may be hard for one to accomplish. It is important to maintain an open mind, nonjudgmental spirit, and impartiality for the cultures and practices of others surrounding death and dying. A culturally competent nurse is not only responsible for acknowledging the cultural norms of others but also respecting and educating themselves about the death rituals of their patient’s culture and providing the family with as many resources to safely and effectively fulfill their cultural practices. Education is empowering for the nurse who is navigating the death and dying process. Education often supplements ones credibility with the dying patient and their family which can ease overall anxiety and further promote ones role as a patient advocate and provider of
There are significant health disparities that exist between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Australians. Being an Indigenous Australian means the person is and identifies as an Indigenous Australian, acknowledges their Indigenous heritage and is accepted as such in the community they live in (Daly, Speedy, & Jackson, 2010). Compared with Non-Indigenous Australians, Aboriginal people die at much younger ages, have more disability and experience a reduced quality of life because of ill health. This difference in health status is why Indigenous Australians health is often described as “Third World health in a First World nation” (Carson, Dunbar, Chenhall, & Bailie, 2007, p.xxi). Aboriginal health care in the present and future should encompass a holistic approach which includes social, emotional, spiritual and cultural wellbeing in order to be culturally suitable to improve Indigenous Health. There are three dimensions of health- physical, social and mental- that all interrelate to determine an individual’s overall health. If one of these dimensions is compromised, it affects how the other two dimensions function, and overall affects an individual’s health status. The social determinants of health are conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age which includes education, economics, social gradient, stress, early life, social inclusion, employment, transport, food, and social supports (Gruis, 2014). The social determinants that are specifically negatively impacting on Indigenous Australians health include poverty, social class, racism, education, employment, country/land and housing (Isaacs, 2014). If these social determinants inequalities are remedied, Indigenous Australians will have the same opportunities as Non-Ind...
The purpose of this essay is to analyse various theories on ageing, death, dying, and end of life issues from different perspectives such as: biophysiological theories, psychosocial theories; and taking in consideration the cultural, historical, and religious implications around the aforementioned life stages. One will also discuss important issues relevant to social work practice such as dignity, autonomy, and their relationship with the concept of a successful ageing and a good death. One considers these areas important since they upheld anti-discriminatory practice and may perhaps promote the development of personalised care pathways, as well as fair and justifiable social policies.
Palliative care involves the holistic care to maintain and improve the quality of life of the patient and family during hospitalisation until the terminal stage. Palliation of care refers to the multidisciplinary approach of providing comfort and support for the terminally ill patient and family, thus has an important role in maintaining and improving the quality of life of the whole family. Chronic illness such as cancer gives a physiologic and emotional burden for the patient and family. Education and counselling of the possible options as well as treatments for pain and other symptoms that could help alleviate anxiety, suffering and discomfort. Palliative care provides assistance for the family as a channel for communication between the
Comfort measures are crucial for the dying patient and their loved ones. Comfort measures, not only, include pain management but also massage, music, position changes, and heat, which are all just as important. Palliative care is an extremely important aspect of nursing. Palliative care “focuses more broadly on improving life and providing comfort to people of all ages with serious, chronic, and life-threatening illnesses” (http://www.WebMD.com). The ultimate goal of comfort measures and palliative care is to ensure that the patient has a more relaxed and peaceful death (End of Life care: An Ethical Overview, 16). Other important aspects of palliative care consists of hygiene measures, which includes keeping the patient dry and clean, offering food and fluids often, and keeping the patient, along with the family, as comfortable as possible. Some try to argue that drugs, like Morphine, should not be given to the dying because it speeds up the dying process, but I believe that their death is inevitable and it is best to make the patient as comfortable as possible. For many families, the thought of losing their family member is too much to handle but with pain management, at least, the patient gets to die a relatively pain-free death. This can be comforting for the family. Although, there are pain medications that can suppress the respiratory and cardiovascular system, the patient, typically, has a much more peaceful death, as opposed to not having any sort of drug.