title: Perspectives of Asians living in Texas on pain management in the last days of life.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The recognition that someone's ethnic identity does not necessarily predict their health-care beliefs and preferences, and lack of scientific evidence on this topic provide the fundamental justification for this study. The aim of this descriptive qualitative study was to determine the attitudes about and preferences for pain management in the last days of life for persons born in Japan, China and Vietnam living in Texas.
  
  
  METHODS
  Personal interviews were conducted to elicit people's perspectives on pain management, such as open or indirect acknowledgement of pain and endurance of pain for clarity of consciousness.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thematic analysis revealed three overarching themes for the Japanese group and five themes each for the Chinese and Vietnamese groups. Avoidance of stereotyping based on cultural background was a major finding of this study.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Promoting quality of life in the last days of life is a priority for health professionals, and effective, individualised management of pain is of the utmost importance.
authors.affiliation: Professor and Associate Dean, Office of Research, University of Texas at Tyler, College of Nursing and Health Sciences.
authors.forename: Gloria
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Duke
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Petersen
mesh_terms: D001213:Asian / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D059408:Pain Management; D010166:Palliative Care; D013781:Texas
keywords: Asians; Cultural diversity; End-of-life; Pain management; Palliative care