Advance Directive Exposure and Education in the Hispanic Community

Abstract

Purpose: This was a quality improvement project designed to increase exposure and knowledge of advanced directives (AD) in the Hispanic community through a video presentation and informational flyer. By increasing exposure and knowledge about AD this project aimed to help jump start conversations about AD with participant’s families and providers. Background: Exposure and education about AD are major sources of Hispanics disproportionately lacking in AD submissions rates as compared to their white counterparts and other minorities. Hispanics are thought to want more aggressive treatment modalities by providers who default to life sustaining measures; however, literature shows Hispanics are just as likely to favor comfort measures once exposure and education of AD occur. Lack of AD conversations decreases patient autonomy where decisions that contradict a patient’s preferences may be made. Methods: Participants were recruited from a local Rita Ranch clinic to watch an educational video, choosing between an English or Spanish version, on AD on a tablet and then receive an informational flyer that summarized the video. After watching the video, participants completed a post survey that assessed their thoughts on the usefulness of the presentation and if any knowledge was gained. Results: A total of 10 participants participated in the project and completed the post survey, five participants chose to do the project in English and five in Spanish. All 10 participants reported they found the presentation useful and learned something new, with a mean of 4.6 per answer out of 5-point Likert scale questions. The mean was the same regardless of whether the participant chose to do the project in Spanish or English for the total 10 participants. Conclusions: This project was effective in increasing knowledge and proved useful to all participants. Future research should seek to answer if this type of approach had any impact in AD conversations with family members and providers, and if increasing in AD submission rates were seen.