Māori perspectives on hospice care

Māori have the right to high-quality, appropriate care in all health settings. This study aimed to determine the perceptions and preferences of Māori for end-of-life care in a hospice. A Kaupapa Māori approach to research shaped this qualitative pilot study. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews with five elders from Māori communities and two focus groups with seven family members of Māori patients who had recently received hospice care. Thematic analysis identified (1) that participants perceived hospice as like a hospital, a place where people died, (2) what they appreciated and wanted from hospice, such as family-centred end-of-life care and respect for Māori cultural practices, (3) what they perceived as problems and barriers to receiving hospice care, and (4) their potential solutions to these problems, such as community information seminars about the breadth of hospice services. These findings have implications for how Aotearoa/New Zealand hospices can ensure appropriate care for Māori patients and their families, as well as for clinicians and other hospice staff who aim to provide culturally sensitive care.