Palliative care is expanding across Latin America; however, the role of psychology in this field remains underdeveloped in many countries. This study explores the current state of palliative psychology in five Central American countries—Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Costa Rica, and Panama—through qualitative interviews with 32 professionals and a comparative literature review.
Findings reveal structural and cultural barriers limiting the integration of psychologists in palliative care teams. These include insufficient academic training, the lack of recognition of the psychologist’s role in health policies, and minimal access to interdisciplinary care models. Nevertheless, the research highlights emerging opportunities for development, such as successful local initiatives, regional academic interest, and collaboration with international organizations.
The study also identifies key success stories, such as the work of Fundación Ammar Ayudando in Guatemala, Fundación La Niñez Primero in El Salvador, and the integration of palliative psychology within the public health system of Costa Rica. These cases illustrate that when psychological care is integrated into palliative frameworks, both patients and families benefit from improved emotional support, meaning-making processes, and dignified end-of-life care.
The study uses a multi-method approach, including interviews, document review, and analysis of global palliative care indices. Its conceptual foundation includes contributions from Zimmerman et al. (2014), Walsh (2016), and the WHO's recommendations on integrated, people-centered health services.
This abstract aims to raise awareness of the urgent need to strengthen palliative psychology in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), especially in underrepresented regions like Central America. It proposes concrete strategies for education, advocacy, and regional coordination to ensure the psychological dimension of suffering is not overlooked in end-of-life care.