title: The Impact of Faith Beliefs on Perceptions of End-of-Life Care and Decision Making among African American Church Members.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  African Americans underuse palliative care and hospice services because of a combination of factors including faith beliefs. As the spiritual family for many African Americans, the church presents an opportunity to improve communication about palliative care and hospice and end-of-life (EOL) decision making.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We conducted a focus group study to understand the cultural and spiritual perspectives that influence decisions about palliative care and hospice among African American church members who visit and support persons with life-limiting illnesses. Our specific aims were to elicit their perceptions, beliefs, and attitudes about: (1) the relation between faith beliefs and EOL care; (2) emotional and family influences on EOL decision making; (3) palliative care and hospice resources; and (4) opportunities to improve communication among lay persons and health professionals and within families.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seven focus groups using purposeful sampling.
  
  
  METHODS
  We partnered with two African American churches. Of 51 persons, 27 were deacons or deaconesses, 17 were members of health or bereavement ministries, and 7 were other members of the congregations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found that faith beliefs of African Americans can support discussions about palliative care and hospice. Participants perceived that many of their congregants harbor beliefs, perceptions, and feelings about death and dying that were often not communicated to family members or to health providers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Among African Americans, faith beliefs, emotional issues, family dynamics, and insufficient knowledge of palliative care and hospice are intertwined and influence decision making about palliative care and hospice. Our findings confirm the influence of faith beliefs of African Americans on decisions about palliative care and hospice and demonstrate the opportunity to improve communication about palliative care and hospice and EOL through collaborations with the African American church.
authors: 1 Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
authors: Jerry
authors: J
authors: Johnson
authors: 1 Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
authors: Tara
authors: T
authors: Hayden
authors: 1 Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
authors: Jennifer
authors: J
authors: True
authors: 2 Johns Hopkins School of Medicine , Baltimore, Maryland.
authors: Daren
authors: D
authors: Simkin
authors: 3 Pinn Memorial Baptist Church , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
authors: Louis
authors: L
authors: Colbert
authors: 4 First African Baptist Church , Sharon Hills, Pennsylvania.
authors: Beverly
authors: B
authors: Thompson
authors: 4 First African Baptist Church , Sharon Hills, Pennsylvania.
authors: Denise
authors: D
authors: Stewart
authors: 5 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
authors: Latoya
authors: L
authors: Martin
mesh_terms: D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012067:Religion; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000523:psychology*