Perceptions of Advance Care Planning Among Latino Adults in the Community Setting

Rates of advance care planning (ACP) among Latinos are as low as 10% compared to an average of 26% among adults living in the United States. Typical American values of autonomy and self-determination that underlie ACP often conflict with the values of group decision-making, fatalism, and respect for hierarchy that influence decision making in the Latino community. Research suggests that community-based initiatives and culturally competent patient education improves rates of ACP in the Latino community. Findings discuss the use of culturally sensitive and linguistically appropriate ACP video education with Latinos in a metropolitan community setting, as well as recommendations for practice.