Understand Me mobile app has been developed to assist health care professionals caring for people from diverse ethnic, religious and cultural groups who may also have Limited English proficiency (LEP).
This app features key information on caring for ill and dying patients from specific ethnic, religious and cultural groups, based on the HSE National Social Inclusion Unit guide, Health Services Intercultural Guide: Responding to the Needs of Diverse Religious Communities and Cultures in Healthcare Settings.
Core difficulties identified for palliative care professionals:
- Cultural appropriateness of talking about death and dying.
- Familiarity and clear understanding around proper rituals for people according to their ethnicity and religious affiliations. E.g. washing the body.
- A range of resources are available, however most palliative care professionals interviewed highlighted it can be difficult to easily access them when needed.