title: Transcultural comparison of hospital and hospice as caring environments for dying patients.
abstract: Leininger's nursing Theory of Cultural Care Diversity and Universality provided the framework for this comparative study of two environments for persons who are dying; namely a hospital oncology unit and a free-standing hospice unit. Analysis of data from ethnographic and ethnonursing research methods including unstructured interviews, observation-participation, and field journal materials yielded contrasts with two settings. The presence of a caring atmosphere/ambience was apparent in both the hospital and hospice. Universal patterns common to both were: caring beliefs and practices of staff; identification of each setting as "community" or "home"; and multiple symbolic uses of humor and food. Diversities included hierarchical organizational structure and cure orientation in the hospital; interdisciplinary collaboration and care orientation in hospice; more pronounced use of touch as a caring modality; and greater evidence of symbolism and ritual related to death and dying in hospice. Adoption of the cultural care modes of accommodation, repatterning, and maintenance are suggested in promoting a caring atmosphere wherever dying patients are served.
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Gates
mesh_terms: D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D006272:Health Facility Environment / Q000592:standards*; D006738:Hospices / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D006757:Hospital Units / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D016294:Models, Nursing; D009732:Nursing Care / Q000523:psychology / Q000592:standards*; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000523:psychology / Q000592:standards*