Jerry Johnson1, Tara Hayden1, Jennifer True1, Daren Simkin2, Louis Colbert3, Beverly Thompson4, Denise Stewart4, Latoya Martin5. 1. 1 Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 2. 2 Johns Hopkins School of Medicine , Baltimore, Maryland. 3. 3 Pinn Memorial Baptist Church , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 4. 4 First African Baptist Church , Sharon Hills, Pennsylvania. 5. 5 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: African Americans underuse palliative care and hospice services because of a combination of factors including faith beliefs. As the spiritual family for many African Americans, the church presents an opportunity to improve communication about palliative care and hospice and end-of-life (EOL) decision making. OBJECTIVES: We conducted a focus group study to understand the cultural and spiritual perspectives that influence decisions about palliative care and hospice among African American church members who visit and support persons with life-limiting illnesses. Our specific aims were to elicit their perceptions, beliefs, and attitudes about: (1) the relation between faith beliefs and EOL care; (2) emotional and family influences on EOL decision making; (3) palliative care and hospice resources; and (4) opportunities to improve communication among lay persons and health professionals and within families. DESIGN: Seven focus groups using purposeful sampling. SETTINGS/ SUBJECTS: We partnered with two African American churches. Of 51 persons, 27 were deacons or deaconesses, 17 were members of health or bereavement ministries, and 7 were other members of the congregations. RESULTS: We found that faith beliefs of African Americans can support discussions about palliative care and hospice. Participants perceived that many of their congregants harbor beliefs, perceptions, and feelings about death and dying that were often not communicated to family members or to health providers. CONCLUSIONS: Among African Americans, faith beliefs, emotional issues, family dynamics, and insufficient knowledge of palliative care and hospice are intertwined and influence decision making about palliative care and hospice. Our findings confirm the influence of faith beliefs of African Americans on decisions about palliative care and hospice and demonstrate the opportunity to improve communication about palliative care and hospice and EOL through collaborations with the African American church.
BACKGROUND: African Americans underuse palliative care and hospice services because of a combination of factors including faith beliefs. As the spiritual family for many African Americans, the church presents an opportunity to improve communication about palliative care and hospice and end-of-life (EOL) decision making. OBJECTIVES: We conducted a focus group study to understand the cultural and spiritual perspectives that influence decisions about palliative care and hospice among African American church members who visit and support persons with life-limiting illnesses. Our specific aims were to elicit their perceptions, beliefs, and attitudes about: (1) the relation between faith beliefs and EOL care; (2) emotional and family influences on EOL decision making; (3) palliative care and hospice resources; and (4) opportunities to improve communication among lay persons and health professionals and within families. DESIGN: Seven focus groups using purposeful sampling. SETTINGS/ SUBJECTS: We partnered with two African American churches. Of 51 persons, 27 were deacons or deaconesses, 17 were members of health or bereavement ministries, and 7 were other members of the congregations. RESULTS: We found that faith beliefs of African Americans can support discussions about palliative care and hospice. Participants perceived that many of their congregants harbor beliefs, perceptions, and feelings about death and dying that were often not communicated to family members or to health providers. CONCLUSIONS: Among African Americans, faith beliefs, emotional issues, family dynamics, and insufficient knowledge of palliative care and hospice are intertwined and influence decision making about palliative care and hospice. Our findings confirm the influence of faith beliefs of African Americans on decisions about palliative care and hospice and demonstrate the opportunity to improve communication about palliative care and hospice and EOL through collaborations with the African American church.
Authors: Ann Kutney-Lee; Scarlett L Bellamy; Mary Ersek; Elina L Medvedeva; Dawn Smith; Joshua M Thorpe; J Margo Brooks Carthon Journal: J Am Geriatr Soc Date: 2022-01-05 Impact factor: 5.562
Authors: Karen O Moss; Nancy L Deutsch; Patricia J Hollen; Virginia G Rovnyak; Ishan C Williams; Karen M Rose Journal: Am J Hosp Palliat Care Date: 2018-03-14 Impact factor: 2.500
Authors: Marie Bakitas; J Nicholas Dionne-Odom; Salpy V Pamboukian; Jose Tallaj; Elizabeth Kvale; Keith M Swetz; Jennifer Frost; Rachel Wells; Andres Azuero; Konda Keebler; Imatullah Akyar; Deborah Ejem; Karen Steinhauser; Tasha Smith; Raegan Durant; Alan T Kono Journal: BMC Palliat Care Date: 2017-08-31 Impact factor: 3.234