Advance Care Planning (ACP) Intervention for Korean American Immigrants in Alabama
My project aims to develop and evaluate a culturally sensitive intervention program aimed at improving the knowledge, attitudes, and engagement in ACP among Korean immigrants, one of the fastest-growing Asian American groups. Adopting a community-based participatory research approach, I will partner with stakeholders in the Korean American (KA) community in Alabama to develop an intervention guided by existing conceptual frameworks and intervention studies and feedback from a community advisory board and co-mentors. Pre- and post-intervention assessments will be conducted to measure five outcomes: ACP knowledge, palliative care (PC) knowledge, ACP attitudes, intention to engage in end-of-life (EOL) discussions, and intention to complete an advance directive. The feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of the intervention will be evaluated, and factors contributing to engagement in ACP will be identified.
As a mid-career EOL researcher, middle-aged caregiver and first-generation Asian immigrant, I would like to expand the focus of my research and advocacy efforts to include Asian Americans (AAs) like myself, particularly those in resource-poor areas like Alabama. My long-term career goal is to become a local and national leader in promoting culturally appropriate ACP and EOL care for minority groups through research, education, and advocacy. I have passion for and dedication to supporting minority groups with ACP and EOL care and see myself as a potential bridge between AA patients/families and healthcare professionals. Therefore, I will endeavor to provide AA individuals with the correct knowledge about ACP and PC/EOL care in the context of the U.S. healthcare system and advocate them in seeking EOL services, while also informing professionals of cultural needs specific to AA patients and families. I want to lead such efforts at local and national levels by closely collaborating with other researchers, educators, and community partners who share common interests, and by tirelessly educating our healthcare system about AAs’ cultural preferences and social norms in EOL service and communications.
