Increase Advance Directives Knowledge among African Americans in the Faith-based Organization

Abstract

Despite the passing of the Patient Self-Determination Act (PDSA) in 1990, advance directives (AD) remain underutilized. African Americans’ AD completion rates were found to be lower than rates of completion by white Americans. Lack of knowledge regarding the implications of AD was found to be one of the leading causes for the low rates. An evidence-based project targeting African American participants was conducted in three faith-based organizations. The participants were provided an evidence-based education session using Respecting Choices® along with written handouts. A customized readiness ruler (RR) was used by participants to self-report readiness levels toward completing AD before and after the education session. Participants were also asked to respond to a post-evaluation survey of the educational content that was presented. The project had a total of 74 participants (N =74) with 58 participants (n =58) completing the post-evaluation survey and the pre-and post RR. Aggregate data indicated a change in participants readiness to complete AD. The post-evaluation survey indicated that the use of Respecting Choices®, an evidence-based education program to raise participants’ awareness of AD, was beneficial in communicating with persons voluntarily attending one of three education sessions at the faith-based organizations.