Maria: developing a culturally-sensitive treatment plan in pre-hospice south Texas

This is a case study of a young Mexican-American woman who suffered from end-stage renal disease and severe depression in Texas, before the availability of hospice care. The patient, while struggling to retain her cultural identity in a renal care unit which stressed efficiency, was labeled noncompliant by the medical team. Through knowledge gained from staff discussions, the medical team was able to integrate cultural sensitivity and hospice principles into the treatment plan. With an increased focus on her psychosocial needs, the patient was able to die with a sense of dignity and cultural integrity.