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. 2020 Jul-Sep;26(3):358-364.
doi: 10.4103/IJPC.IJPC_39_20. Epub 2020 Aug 29.

Exploring Organizational Culture Regarding Provision and Utilization of Palliative Care in a Nigerian Context: An Interpretive Descriptive Study

David A Agom  1   2 , Jude Ominyi  2 , Tonia C Onyeka  3 , Chukwuma N Anyigor  2
Affiliations

Exploring Organizational Culture Regarding Provision and Utilization of Palliative Care in a Nigerian Context: An Interpretive Descriptive Study

David A Agom et al. Indian J Palliat Care. 2020 Jul-Sep.

Abstract

Background: Palliative care (PC) continues to be underutilized in Nigeria, but there is a lack of studies that explore organizational cultural dynamics regarding PC in Nigeria. The study aimed to understand the organizational culture in order to identify organizational enablers and inhibitors of the provision and utilization of PC in a Nigerian context.

Methods: Identification of the organizational culture was developed using a qualitative interpretive descriptive design. Cultural enablers and inhibitors were mapped out using semi-structured interviews with 38 participants, consisting of medical staff, patients, and their relatives. Thematic analysis was used to identify and analyze patterns within the collected data.

Results: Three themes were identified: cross-departmental collaborative practice, financial support practice, and continuity of care. The findings suggest that fundamental cultural changes, such as a policy for intradepartmental referral practices, telemedicine, and a welfare support system, are typically required as remedies for the failure to use PC in Nigeria and other similar contexts.

Conclusions: This study offered a new understanding that not revealing deeper shared assumptions, and a shared way of thinking that underpins the PC practice within an organization, will have a negative bearing on organizational PC outcomes.

Keywords: Africa; Nigeria; health-care practice; oncology; organizational culture; palliative care; qualitative study.

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Conflict of interest statement

There are no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Thematic framework
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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