The experiences of death and dying for Chinese people in Australia: A qualitative study for cultural competency

Abstract

Census data have shown the emergence and predominance of Chinese communities in Australia. Health care professionals need to be competent in recognizing and respecting different cultural perspectives when working with patients and their families. A major differentiating cultural understanding for Chinese people is the conceptualisation of death and dying. Current research on Chinese culture regarding end of life highlights attitudes reflecting cultural and religious roots, and a taboo view towards discussions about death. This means research on this topic with Chinese people is challenging and few studies have been conducted in an Australian context. Given the cultural diversity of Australia and its Western approach to health care, this study aims to contribute to existing literature about the cultural perspectives of Chinese people in Australia towards health care, specifically regarding death, dying and end of life. Given the cultural sensitivity of discussing death and that many older Chinese people are non-native English speakers, interpreters can offer insights about end of life experiences with patients, rather than speaking directly with the patient, which may cause distress. A purposive sampling approach was employed to recruit Chinese interpreters, who participated in qualitative interviews. An inductive approach of thematic analysis identified four overarching themes: ‘Healthcare is different (for Chinese people)’, ‘Family as influential’, ‘Death and dying as taboo’, and ‘Changing attitudes of Chinese people’. Findings from this study serve to raise awareness of the differing cultural perspectives of Chinese people in Australia towards death and dying and highlight the need for cultural competency for health care professionals, to deliver culturally appropriate patient care.