title: Awareness of palliative care and end-of-life options among African Canadians in Nova Scotia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess, using qualitative methods, the knowledge African Canadians living in Nova Scotia have regarding their options for palliative and end-of-life (EOL) care.
  
  
  METHODS
  This project engaged caregivers in a Black community in Nova Scotia, Canada, in an exploration of palliative and EOL care. A group of six caregivers who cared for someone who had died were recruited through purposive sampling. The caregivers met three times to (1) discuss their experiences, (2) receive a presentation from the palliative care service, and (3) discuss whether those services would be beneficial. This was followed by a community meeting to discuss the findings.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Knowledge of options for palliative care services is limited. Family centered care may be a reason why "system" is generally not aware of the EOL experiences of African Nova Scotians.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Information about palliative care services is not filtering down to the community in a way that is meaningful to families. Families tend to self-select services that assist them in providing care in the home setting. There is a need to engage Black communities and palliative care services in developing culturally appropriate services.
authors: Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada. victor.maddalena@med.mun.ca
authors: Victor
authors: V
authors: Maddalena
authors: Wanda Thomas
authors: WT
authors: Bernard
authors: Sharon
authors: S
authors: Davis-Murdoch
authors: Donna
authors: D
authors: Smith
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D044383:Black People / Q000523:psychology*; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice / Q000208:ethnology*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009674:Nova Scotia; D010166:Palliative Care; D013727:Terminal Care