Issues Confronting Social Workers in the Provision of Palliative Care Services in the Pacific Basin (Hawai‘i and the U.S. Affiliated Pacific Island Nations and Territories)

Abstract

In this article, the authors highlight the complex issues associated with providing end-of-life and palliative care services to people who make up the diverse cultural groups of the Pacific. Many people from all over the Pacific Basin come to Hawai‘i, USA to obtain palliative care services, due to lack of adequate health care in many Pacific Island nations. However, many barriers exist that sometimes prevent optimal care. Some of these barriers are due to a misunderstanding of cultural differences, while others are systemic. Both are discussed, as well as how social workers can assist with the provision of palliative care services in a culturally sensitive manner.

KEYWORDS:

• collectivism
• culture
• Pacific Islanders
• palliative care