More than two decades ago, the passage of the Patient Self-Determination Act (1990) established advance directives (ADs) as legal documents, which enable patients to maintain human dignity at the end of life and honor the right to refuse life-sustaining treatment. Completion of ADs varies by ethnicity and was higher among non-Hispanic White older adults than those from an ethnic minority group. Although Korean-Americans are a rapidly growing ethnic group in the U.S., limited studies have been conducted to assess end-of-life care issues and planning among this ethnic group. The purpose of this qualitative action research study is to identify facilitators and barriers for Korean-Americans when completing ADs through collecting data by one-to-one interviews. Based on the results, an action plan was developed to better prepare Korean-Americans in completing ADs. Health care professionals can utilize knowledge gained from this study to assist Korean-Americans to meet these challenges.
