Work

Advance Care Planning Among People from Ethnic Minority and Non-Ethnic Minority Backgrounds with Poor-Prognosis Cancers: A Single-Site Retrospective Medical Record Review Study

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Purpose Studies indicate inequity in uptake of advance care planning (ACP) and end-of-life care outcomes for people from ethnic minority backgrounds. There is limited evidence of disparity in the uptake of ACP and burdensome end-of-life care among people from ethnic minority backgrounds experiencing cancer in Australia. This exploratory analysis aimed to fill this gap. Methods A single-site retrospective medical record was conducted. Stratified sampling was employed to extract data from eligible medical records of patients from ethnic minority and non-ethnic minority backgrounds diagnosed with a poor-prognosis cancer. Results A total of 102 records were reviewed; 52 belonged to patients from ethnic minority backgrounds and 50 to general population. Any ACP communication (formal or informal) was documented in 77 medical records with no difference observed between the two groups (( χ 2 = 0.12, p = 0.732). Total of 326 ACP communications were document (190 formal and 136 informal), with the rate of ACP communication lower among patients from ethnic minority backgrounds when compared to those from general population (3.75 vs 4.8). More patients from ethnic backgrounds died in acute care hospital (p = 0.047). Most ACP communication occurred in palliative care setting (193/326); only six instances of ACP were religious/cultural preferences of care. Conclusion This exploratory study provides first Australian evidence that rate of ACP is lower among people from ethnic minority backgrounds, and they may experience more potentially burdensome end-of-life care. Implications: Co-designed training and resources may assist cancer care clinicians to initiate timely and culturally appropriate ACP communication. Early referral to palliative care is recommended.

Source: Healthcare

DOI: 10.3390/healthcare14193235

Authors: Ashfaq Chauhan, Ramya Walsan, Davinia Seah, Frances Belmore, Ursula M Sansom-Daly, Reema Harrison

Institutions: Macquarie University, UNSW Sydney

Language: English

Topic: Palliative Care and End-of-Life Issues

Subfield: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,258