Developing a culture-based palliative nursing care model in hospitals: a phenomenological study

Palliative care serves as a framework for nurses to provide quality care. A cultural approach is essential for helping palliative care patients access maximum health services. This study aimed to determine the important aspects of developing a culture-based palliative nursing care model. Utilizing a qualitative, phenomenological design, this research involved 11 participants, including nurses, palliative care patients, and their families. Data collection was conducted through focus group discussions, and analysis was performed using the thematic method with the Colaizzi approach. Five key themes emerged to develop a culture-based palliative nursing care model: 1) patient condition (knowledge, psychological challenges, education, and age); 2) family support (psychological state, knowledge, communication, assistance, and economic status); 3) role of nurses (advocacy, education, caring attitude, help with activity of daily living [ADL], and give realistic expectations); 4) health service policies (no code blue, supportive therapy, entertainment, availability of resources, teamwork, chemotherapy, and health insurance); and 5) cultural influence (spiritual needs, fear of death, desire not to die at home, Internet use, and alternative medicine). All these components are crucial for the enhancement of palliative nursing care.