Provision of comprehensive, culturally competent palliative care in the Qikiqtaaluk region of Nunavut: Health care providers’ perspectives

Abstract Objective To explore health care providers’ perceptions of the provision of palliative care in the Qikiqtaaluk (formerly known as Baffin) region of Nunavut. Design An exploratory, qualitative, cross-sectional design using in-depth, semistructured interviews. Setting Qikiqtaaluk region of Nunavut. Participants Seven physicians and 6 registered nurses who worked in Iqaluit or other northern Inuit communities in the Qikiqtaaluk region of Nunavut. Methods Thirteen health care providers participated in in-person or telephone semistructured interviews, which were audiorecorded and transcribed verbatim. Main findings Interviews with the participating health care providers in the Qikiqtaaluk region of Nunavut revealed 5 complex and interwoven themes that influence the provision of comprehensive, culturally competent palliative care services to Indigenous patients: respecting Inuit culture, end-of-life care planning, and the role of family; recognizing the importance of the northern community (sense of home); being aware of the limited health care resources; recognizing the critical role of medical interpreters; and improving the quality of palliative care programs and resources, as well as health care provider training in palliative care and Inuit end-of-life care. Conclusion Health care providers in the Qikiqtaaluk region of Nunavut have identified several important themes that influence the provision of culturally sensitive and comprehensive palliative care, most notably the need to develop palliative care resources and programs. It is hoped that the results of this study can be used to help guide palliative care strategies including program development and educational initiatives for health care providers. These initiatives can help build community capacity within a currently underserviced population and improve end-of-life care services available to Nunavut patients and their families. Further studies are required to determine the perspectives of medical interpreters, as well as palliative care patients and their families.