Accepting Transitions: African Americans Discuss End of Life

Background: African Americans typically underuse hospice care; this study explores their end of life attitudes. Methods: An iterative focus group strategy generated qualitative data using 4 baseline groups and 1 confirmatory focus group recruited from predominantly African American churches. Each group consisted of 8 to 14 adults. Investigators analyzed data for dominant themes, representatives from baseline groups returned to discuss the results. Results: A total of 43 African Americans (male: 8 [18.6]; female: 35 [81.4]) participated in initial discussions, with 10 returning for follow-up. The prevailing theme was transitions; with life to death dominating discourse; other themes included curative to palliative care and acceptance of death as inevitable. Recommendation: Among African Americans, outreach efforts may be strengthened by reframing the dying process as the product of many transitions and reaching out to faith-based communities.
Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine - Category: Palliative Care Authors: Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research