Cultural considerations when providing care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders (ATSI) opting for conservative care.

ABSTRACT

Highest rates of chronic and end stage kidney diseases occur within remote, regional and indigenous communities in Australia. Advance care planning is not common practice for most ATSI people. There are many barriers to providing effective supportive care to ATSI people. Choice of place of death being able to "finish up" in the place of their choice is very important to many indigenous Australians. Family meetings, preferably in the presence of a cultural broker to explain treatment pathways and care issues will lead to informed choices being made in an environment where all stakeholders are able to participate freely. Each indigenous person is different and should not be stereotyped.