| dc.description.abstract | Experiencing life-threatening illness could impact on an individual's spirituality or religious
beliefs. ln this paper, we report on a study which explored cultural elements that influence the
provision of palliative care for people with cancer. A contemporary ethnographic approach was
adopted. Observations and interviews were undertaken over 3 months with 48 participants,
including palliative care staff, patients, and their families. An ethnographic data analysis framewnrk
was adopted to assist in the analysis of data at item, pattern, and structural levels. Religion
was identified as central to everyday life, with all participants reporting being affiliated to
particular religions and performing their religious practices in their daily lives. Patients' relatives
acknowledged and addressed patients' needs for these practices. Staff provided spiritual care
for the patients and their relatives in the form of religious discussion and conducting prayers
together. An understanding that religious and spiritual practices are integral cultural elements
and of fundamental importance to the holistic health of their patients is necessary if healthcare
professionals are to support patients and their famiiies in end-of-life care. | en_US |
