Preferences and Expectations for Delivering Bad News Among Korean Older Adults

ABSTRACT

 The purpose of this study was to explore Korean older adults’ perspectives toward physicians’ disclosure of serious illness to patients. Seventy Korean older adults residing in the community were interviewed in person using a semistructured interview guide. Major themes included conflicting desires among participants to: 1) inform the patient directly, 2) inform the patient indirectly, and 3) inform only the family. Subthemes under the first theme included: a) decision making about treatment, b) planning and preparation for the future, c) need for use of an ethical standard, d) consideration of patient coping responses, and e) disclosure of serious illness as a relational process. Disclosure of bad news is more than revealing or concealing information. Needs and preferences regarding to what extent and how information is delivered differ by culture. Thus, understanding preferred communication pathways for advanced care planning in specific cultural frameworks is important. Future studies using clear concepts and measures about serious illness disclosure can better prepare health care professionals in interacting with those from minority cultures. In addition, studies of those with poor health status from diverse cultural groups may further assist social workers to tailor interventions to accommodate cultural needs and expectations in end-of-life settings.

KEYWORDS:

• Disclosure
• serious illness
• Korean older adults
• culture
• end-of-life decision making

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Eunjeong Ko

Eunjeong Ko, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor at San Diego State University, School of Social Work, San Diego, CA.

Holly Nelson-Becker

Holly Nelson-Becker, Ph.D., is a Professor at Loyola University of Chicago, School of Social Work, Chicago, IL.

Min-jung Shin

Min-jung Shin, MA, is an Assistant Professor at Suseong College University, Department of Social Welfare, Daegu Metropolitan, South Korea.

Young-joon Park

Young-joon Park, Ph.D., is a Professor at Daegu University, Department of Social Welfare, Gyeongbuk, South Korea.