Barriers to initiate a discussion about advance care planning among older Taiwanese residents of nursing homes and their families: A qualitative study

Background

In Taiwan, the Patients' Right to Autonomy Act was enacted in 2019. However, advance care planning (ACP) implementation rates remain low in long-term care facilities. Aim: This study explored the barriers to initiate a discussion about ACP among older Taiwanese residents of nursing homes and their families.

Methods

A descriptive qualitative design was used. Face-to-face interviews were individually conducted with 38 participants (residents: 18; family members: 20), and data were analyzed through content analysis.

Results

Five themes were identified: (1) having cultural or spiritual concerns (both groups), (2) prioritizing the bigger picture (family) (both groups), (3) waiting for the right time (both groups), (4) feeling unsure (residents), and (5) following the pace of the residents (family members).

Conclusion

The results indicate that discussing ACP with Chinese people and their families clashes with traditional Chinese culture. To implement ACP in long-term care facilities based in regions with ethnically Chinese populations, medical professionals must ensure that the residents and their family members understand advance directives and their role in ensuring a good death and must act as a bridge between residents and their family members to assist them in making consensual end-of-life-care decisions with residents.