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An ethnographic study of palliative and dnd-of-life care in a Nigerian hospital: impact of education on care provision and utilization

  • David A. Agom
    ,
  • Tonia C. Onyeka
    ,
  • Jude Ominyi
    ,
  • Judith Sixsmith
    ,
  • Sarah Neill
    ,
  • Stuart Allen
  • University of Northampton
    ,
  • University of Nigeria
    ,
  • University of Dundee
    ,
  • University of Plymouth
    ,
  • University of Warwick
    ,
  • University of Staffordshire
Research Output: Contribution to journal Article Peer-review

Open access

Abstract

Most clinicians receive little or no palliative care (PC) education. Similarly, patients and their families receive little or no information on PC. Our study explored education in PC, while examining for its impacts on service delivery and utilization from the perspective of health care professionals (HCPs), patients, and their families. An ethnographic approach was utilized to gather data from 41 participants. Spradley’s ethnographic analytical framework guided data analysis. Two themes identified were inadequate HCPs’ knowledge base and impact of service-users’ inadequate health education. The findings show that most HCPs had no formal education in PC, attributed to the lack of PC residency programs and the absence of educational institutions that provide such education. Patients and families also conveyed poor understandings of their illness and palliation, rooted in the HCP culture of partial disclosure of information about their diagnosis, care, and prognosis. Findings suggest a cultural shift that supports PC education for professionals is required to promote realist medical approach in the care for patients with life-limiting illnesses.

Publication Information

Output type

Research Output: Contribution to journal Article Peer-review

Original language

English

Article number

2158244020938700

Journal (Volume, Issue Number)

SAGE Open (Volume 10, Issue 3)

Publication milestones

  • Published - 08/09/2020

Publication status

Published - 08/09/2020

External Publication IDs

  • handle.net: 10547/625647
  • Scopus: 85090789320

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