Doing our best and doing no harm: A focused ethnography of staff moral experiences of providing palliative care at a Médecins Sans Frontières pediatric hospital in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh

Abstract

Introduction The Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Goyalmara Hospital in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh is a referral centre offering the highest level of care available in the Rohingya camps for pediatrics and neonatology. Efforts are underway to integrate pediatric palliative care due to high mortality and medical complexity of patients, yet little is known about the experiences of staff delivering palliative and end-of-life care. The purpose of this study was to understand the moral experiences of MSF staff to inform program planning and implementation. Methods This focused ethnography was conducted between March-August 2021 at Goyalmara Hospital. Data collection involved participant-observation, individual interviews (22), focus group discussions (5), and analysis of documents including MSF clinical guidelines, admission and referral criteria, reports, and training materials. Data analysis followed a modified version of the Qualitative Analysis Guide of Leuven and data were coded using NVivo software. Results The prevailing understanding of pediatric palliative care among national and international staff was care that prioritized comfort for infants and children who were not expected to survive. Staff’s views were informed by their sense of obligation to do no harm, to do their best on behalf of their patients, and religious beliefs about God’s role in determining the child’s outcome. The authority of doctors, international staff, as well as protocols and guidelines shaped palliative care decision-making. Staff saw clinical guidelines as valuable resources that supported a consistent approach to care over time, while others were concerned that palliative care guidelines were rigidly applied. Conclusion When integrating palliative care into humanitarian programs, it is important to emphasize the active role of palliative care in reducing suffering. Advocacy for access to the highest level of care possible should continue alongside palliative care integration. While palliative care guidelines are valuable, it is essential to encourage open discussion of staff concerns and adapt care plans based on the family’s needs and preferences.