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Thesis/Dissertation Information
- Degree Disciplines:
- Nursing
Notes
- Abstract:
- Background: Elderly Black Americans have specific cultural knowledge and beliefs related to Advance Directives (ADs). ADs address issues pertaining to preplanned end of-life care. Literature reviews support that the majority of Black Americans do not have ADs. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of elderly Black Americans about ADs. The use of ADs has been advocated as a measure to help decrease health disparities in minority, under-served, under-represented members of society. Philosophical Underpinnings: Qualitative inquiry methods were employed as the philosophical underpinnings as described by Miles and Huberman, Leininger, and van Manen. Methods: The philosophical underpinnings of this study arose from a naturalistic paradigm. One-on-one, face-to-face, audiotaped interviews between the researcher and a purposive group of nine participants were the primary source of data collection, supplemented by field notes and observations. The data were reduced and coded until themes emerged to describe elderly Black Americans’ perceptions about ADs. Results: The transcribed interviews were analyzed. Four major themes emerged: educational deficit, burdens financial/other, religiosity/spirituality, and a dominant overriding theme of avoidance. The researcher also identified sub-themes of trust/distrust, responsibility and social support, fatalism, and pain/discomfort. Conclusion: Themes emerged that were consistent with prior literature. Elderly Black Americans continue to be underserved recipients of healthcare and do not sign nor have knowledge of AD documents as compared to Whites. Nurses may use knowledge from this study as a template when issues arise from patients who are from “other” cultures.
- Thesis:
- Thesis (Ph.D.)--Barry University, 2012.
- Bibliography:
- Includes bibliographical references (leaves 181-205).
Record Information
- Source Institution:
- Barry University
- Holding Location:
- Barry University Archives and Special Collections
- Rights Management:
- Copyright Dale Ellen Flenyol. Permission granted to Barry University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder.
- Resource Identifier:
- RA448.5.N4 F54 2012_FlenyolDale ( BU-Local )
- Classification:
- RA448.5.N4 F54 2012 ( lcc )
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