Light in the Darkness: Accessibility to Palliative Care for Cancer Patients of Chinese Background and Their Families

Background: Palliative care (PC) improves the Quality of Life (QoL) of patients and their families facing life-threatening illness, through the provision of physical, psychosocial and spiritual support. Cancer is the most frequently recorded principal diagnosis for PC-related services. However, studies have found that people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities face unique challenges when trying to access PC. Chinese Australians, a large non-English speaking ethnic minority in Australia, remain under-represented in PC service delivery. Aim and Objectives: This project aims to address the barriers that prevent Chinese Australians from receiving and benefiting from PC, through the perspective of cultural and linguistic issues. Methodology: The project comprises a general survey of Chinese Australian cancer patients and their caregivers, as well as in-depth one-to-one interviews. Information sessions on PC were conducted in four Sydney suburbs. The questionnaires were distributed and collected before the sessions. The Survey sought to assess participants’ knowledge and level of understanding about PC, and the difficulties they face when trying to access the services available to them.