Friday, April 28, 2017

URSP Student Claire Campos Explores the Perspectives of Filipino Americans Regarding Hospice and Palliative Care Services

Hospice and palliative care services remain underutilized amongst the U.S. minority population. Of the U.S. minority population, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) represent the largest portion of this population. However, there remains a lack of sufficient research on AAPIs regarding potential barriers to hospice and palliative care services. Therefore, the objective of my study was to explore the perspectives of Filipino Americans regarding hospice and palliative care services to identify potential barriers to its utilization.

A total of ten participants were recruited throughout the Virginia and Maryland regions. Participants had to be ages forty or above, Filipino American, and able to speak English. Each participant consented to a face to face semi-structured interview which assessed current knowledge and sentiments associated with hospice and palliative care services. By using a grounded theory approach, interviews were later transcribed and coded to formulate major themes suggested by the data. Themes which arose included generational norms and cultural relations as presenting barriers to hospice and palliative care services.

I became interested in this project after my experience with hospice and palliative care in my service learning for the social work field. The social work field emphasizes the importance of equal access to services regardless of socioeconomic status. As mentioned previously, hospice and palliative care services are underutilized amongst minority populations despite its benefits. I took the opportunity OSCAR presented me to explore reasons why this disparity existed.  I plan to continue research throughout the duration of my social work practice. To be successful in advocacy and intervention, it is important to remain informed of interdisciplinary evidence and evidence-based strategies. Throughout this term, I learned how much more effective an argument can be made through solid research.