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. 2023 Aug;42(8):1840-1849.
doi: 10.1177/07334648231156864. Epub 2023 Feb 16.

Advance Care Planning for Spanish-Language Speakers: Patient, Family, and Interpreter Perspectives

Geraldine Puerto  1 , Germán Chiriboga  1 , Susan DeSanto-Madeya  2 , Vennesa Duodu  1 , Dulce M Cruz-Oliver  3 , Jennifer Tjia  1
Affiliations

Advance Care Planning for Spanish-Language Speakers: Patient, Family, and Interpreter Perspectives

Geraldine Puerto et al. J Appl Gerontol. 2023 Aug.

Abstract

Language access barriers for individuals with limited-English proficiency are a challenge to advance care planning (ACP). Whether Spanish-language translations of ACP resources are broadly acceptable by US Spanish-language speakers from diverse countries is unclear. This ethnographic qualitative study ascertained challenges and facilitators to ACP with respect to Spanish-language translation of ACP resources. We conducted focus groups with a heterogeneous sample of 29 Spanish-speaking persons who had experience with ACP as a patient, family member, and/or medical interpreter. We conducted thematic analysis with axial coding. Themes include: (1). ACP translations are confusing; (2). ACP understanding is affected by country of origin; (3). ACP understanding is affected by local healthcare provider culture and practice; and (4). ACP needs to be normalized into local communities. ACP is both a cultural and clinical practice. Recommendations for increasing ACP uptake extend beyond language translation to acknowledging users' culture of origin and local healthcare culture.

Keywords: Hispanic Americans; Latinos; advance care planning; advance directives; focus group; language barriers; language translation.

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Conflict of interest statement

DECLARATION OF CONFLICTING INTERESTS:

The Authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Themes and Subthemes Reflecting Barriers to Advance Care Planning for Diverse US Spanish-language Speakers: Patient, Family and Medical Interpreter Perspectives
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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