Factors Influencing South Asians' Attitudes toward Pain Management at End of Life

Objectives To investigate South Asians attitudes towards pain management and the factors underlying such attitudes

Methods A multi-method qualitative study employing 23 semi-structured interviews and four focus group discussions with healthcare providers such as physicians, social workers, chaplains, nurses and others (physician’s assistant, administrator, ethics consultant) with experience planning for or providing end-of-life care to South Asian patients and families

Results A thematic analysis of focus group and interview data identified a single, overarching theme: Providers perceived South Asian patients and families to be generally reluctant to use medications to treat pain experienced at end of life. A detailed description of patient-related and culturally-based reasons for this reluctance is provided along with implications for practice in hospice and palliative care.

Conclusions While there was no consensus, respondents overwhelmingly indicated that South Asians are reluctant to use pain medication. Future research should further investigate reasons for such reluctance. Interventions should be targeted at this demographic to increase education about pain management and culturally appropriate ways to manage pain investigated.