Objectives: As part of a two-year, NIH-funded study of variations in approaches to decision-making at end-of-life, we asked African-American and White patients with advanced cancer and their family caregivers about their spiritual and religious beliefs related to coping with and understanding serious illness. Findings include cross-cultural similarities and differences in approaches to religion and spirituality, and the different ways in which patients and caregivers define faith as a source of strength in coping with end-of-life.
Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted in-person. A mixed methodological approach was employed, with statistical analysis of the quantitative data being checked against and expanded upon by computer-assisted coding and thematic analysis of interview transcripts.
Results: The majority of patients and caregivers, both African American and White, rate themselves as “moderately” to “very” religious or spiritual. A number of areas of cross-cultural difference were identified, including belief in the likelihood of divine intervention or a miracle that could change the course of illness and variations in how faith was defined as a source of strength and support.
Conclusion: For many patients with terminal illness and their family caregivers, religious/spiritual faith is a key dimension in coping with end-of-life. A deeper understanding of what this means for individual patients and families, as well as an understanding of cross-cultural differences, is essential to the development of public health policy and practices related to end-of-life.
Learning Objectives: 1. Recognize cross-cultural differences and similarities in how African-American and White patients and caregivers define and employ faith as a source of strength to cope with serious illness. 2. Define the different roles that spiritual and religious faith can play for patients and caregivers dealing with end-of-life. 3. Identify three possible areas for change in public health policy and practice related to spiritual and religious faith and end-of-life.
Keywords: Religion, End-of-Life Care
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.