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Open Access 01-12-2020 | Care | Research article

Barriers to advance care planning: a qualitative study of seriously ill Chinese patients and their families

Authors: Johnny T. K. Cheung, Doreen Au, Anthony H. F. Ip, Jenny Chan, Kenway Ng, Lok Cheung, Jacqueline Yuen, Elsie Hui, Jenny Lee, Raymond Lo, Jean Woo

Published in: BMC Palliative Care | Issue 1/2020

Abstract

Background

Advance care planning (ACP) facilitates identification and documentation of patients’ treatment preferences. Its goal aligns with that of palliative care – optimizing quality of life of seriously ill patients. However, concepts of ACP and palliative care remain poorly recognized in Chinese population. This study aims at exploring barriers to ACP from perspective of seriously ill patients and their family caregivers.

Methods

This is a qualitative study conducted in a Palliative Day Care Centre of Hong Kong between October 2016 and July 2017. We carried out focus groups and individual interviews for the seriously ill patients and their family caregivers. A semi-structured interview guide was used to explore participants’ experiences and attitudes about ACP. Qualitative content analysis was adopted to analyze both manifest content and latent content.

Results

A total of 17 patients and 13 family caregivers participated in our study. The qualitative analysis identified four barriers to ACP: 1) limited patients’ participation in autonomous decision making, 2) cognitive and emotional barriers to discussion, 3) lack of readiness and awareness of early discussion, and 4) unprepared healthcare professionals and healthcare system.

Conclusions

Participations of seriously ill patients, family caregivers and healthcare workers in ACP initiation are lacking respectively. A series of interventions are necessary to resolve the barriers.

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Title: Barriers to advance care planning: a qualitative study of seriously ill Chinese patients and their families
Authors: Johnny T. K. Cheung
Doreen Au
Anthony H. F. Ip
Jenny Chan
Kenway Ng
Lok Cheung
Jacqueline Yuen
Elsie Hui
Jenny Lee
Raymond Lo
Jean Woo
Publication date: 01-12-2020
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: Care
Living Will
Published in: BMC Palliative Care / Issue 1/2020
Electronic ISSN: 1472-684X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12904-020-00587-0

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Barriers to advance care planning: a qualitative study of seriously ill Chinese patients and their families

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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