Cultural Differences in Advance Care Planning and Implications for Practice.

Area of Science:

• Social Work
• Cross-Cultural Studies
• Healthcare Ethics

Background:

• Advance care planning (ACP) is crucial for end-of-life care (EOLC) decision-making.
• Cultural norms significantly influence patient autonomy and family involvement in healthcare.
• Understanding these differences is vital for effective social work practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine cultural variations in advance care planning (ACP) between South Korea and the US.
• To identify strategies social workers employ to initiate ACP conversations across cultures.

Main Methods:

• Conducted qualitative interviews with 12 social workers (6 in South Korea, 6 in the US).
• Performed thematic content analysis on transcribed interview data.

Main Results:

• Cultural norms and generational views on death and decision-making shape EOLC preparation.
• US ACP emphasizes self-determination and autonomy.
• Korean and Korean-American communities often involve family in EOLC decisions; social workers noted relationship-building, empowerment, and individualized approaches as key strategies for initiating ACP discussions in both cultural contexts.

Conclusions:

• Cultural context profoundly affects advance care planning practices and communication.
• Social workers utilize universal strategies like relationship-building and empowerment, adapting them to cultural specificities.
• Further research into culturally sensitive ACP interventions is warranted.