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Zafè Neg se Mistè: a grounded theory study of end-of-life decision-making for Haitian American families in south Florida

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Date Issued:
2015
Summary:
The purpose of this study was to investigate the process used by Haitians and Haitian Americans who must make healthcare decisions for a terminally ill family member. There is a large population of Haitians and Haitian Americans in South Florida and there has been no research regarding their decision-making process about end-of-life healthcare. The study design was descriptive, applying constructivist grounded theory methodology. Data were collected using semi-structured, face-to-face qualitative interviews. Data analysis and collection occurred simultaneously. Participants (n=12) were purposefully recruited, with 11 from a single, faith-based community. The findings resulted in six concepts: (1) imminent or actual death, (2) disrupted unity, (3) managing disrupted unity, (4) consequences, (5) restoring unity, and (6) creating memories you can live with. These six concepts, elaborated by an additional 17 dimensions, were incorporated into a process model relating to the cultural value of communal unity to the end-of-life decision-making process. The implications of this study include a need to improve the congruence between the nursing care provided at this vulnerable time and the cultural values of this population. Successful access to this population through the structure of the faith-based community points the way to increasing access to appropriate end-of-life healthcare. Practice implications informed by caring science include the importance of nurses’ coming to know the family and listening to the unique care needs.
Title: Zafè Neg se Mistè: a grounded theory study of end-of-life decision-making for Haitian American families in south Florida.
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Name(s): Ladd, Susan Charlotte, author
Smith, Marlaine, Thesis advisor
Florida Atlantic University, Degree grantor
Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing
Type of Resource: text
Genre: Electronic Thesis Or Dissertation
Date Created: 2015
Date Issued: 2015
Publisher: Florida Atlantic University
Place of Publication: Boca Raton, Fla.
Physical Form: application/pdf
Extent: 232 p.
Language(s): English
Summary: The purpose of this study was to investigate the process used by Haitians and Haitian Americans who must make healthcare decisions for a terminally ill family member. There is a large population of Haitians and Haitian Americans in South Florida and there has been no research regarding their decision-making process about end-of-life healthcare. The study design was descriptive, applying constructivist grounded theory methodology. Data were collected using semi-structured, face-to-face qualitative interviews. Data analysis and collection occurred simultaneously. Participants (n=12) were purposefully recruited, with 11 from a single, faith-based community. The findings resulted in six concepts: (1) imminent or actual death, (2) disrupted unity, (3) managing disrupted unity, (4) consequences, (5) restoring unity, and (6) creating memories you can live with. These six concepts, elaborated by an additional 17 dimensions, were incorporated into a process model relating to the cultural value of communal unity to the end-of-life decision-making process. The implications of this study include a need to improve the congruence between the nursing care provided at this vulnerable time and the cultural values of this population. Successful access to this population through the structure of the faith-based community points the way to increasing access to appropriate end-of-life healthcare. Practice implications informed by caring science include the importance of nurses’ coming to know the family and listening to the unique care needs.
Identifier: FA00004387 (IID)
Degree granted: Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2015.
Collection: FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection
Note(s): Includes bibliography.
Subject(s): End of life care
Haitian Americans -- Medical care -- Florida
Informed consent (Medical law)
Life and death, Power over
Medical care -- Cross cultural studies
Medical ethics
Nurse and patient
Nurses -- Attitudes
Patient advocacy
Patient refusal of care
Held by: Florida Atlantic University Libraries
Sublocation: Digital Library
Links: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004387
Persistent Link to This Record: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004387
Use and Reproduction: Copyright © is held by the author, with permission granted to Florida Atlantic University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder.
Use and Reproduction: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
Host Institution: FAU
Is Part of Series: Florida Atlantic University Digital Library Collections.