Key barriers to cultural care in Indigenous communities in Taiwan

Cultural care is crucial in long-term care for Indigenous peoples, as it fosters respect for human dignity. This study examines key barriers to providing effective cultural care in Indigenous communities in Taiwan. Using a qualitative method, 13 long-term care providers working with Indigenous communities in Taichung City, Taiwan, were interviewed. Qualitative content analysis revealed eight major barriers, which were categorised into three dimensions: structural (outmigration, remoteness, and lack of local services), cultural (dialects, religion, and multi-ethnic composition), and organisational (interorganisational opposition and quality mismatches). The findings highlighted the need to adapt policies and allocate resources more effectively, enhance cultural competence training and community engagement, strengthen organisational collaboration, establish Indigenous-cultural long-term care models, and adopt more flexible quality frameworks.