Definition and Recommended Cultural Considerations for Advance Care Planning in Japan: A Systematic Review

Culturally Adapted RN-MD Collaborative SICP-Based ACP: Feasibility RCT in Advanced Cancer Patients

CONTEXT

Cultural adaptation is essential for optimizing programs centered around autonomy, such as the Serious Illness Care Program (SICP), especially for populations valuing family-involved decision-making.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of a culturally adapted SICP-based nurse-physician collaborative Advance Care Planning (ACP) intervention tailored for patients with advanced cancer who prefer family-involved decision-making.

METHODS

Oncology nurses, extensively trained and closely collaborating with physicians, conducted structured discussions with patients in the intervention group. The culturally adapted SICP-based ACP intervention was supplemented with trust-building, family involvement, and understanding of patient values. Primary inclusion criteria included patients within six weeks of initiating first-line palliative chemotherapy. Primary endpoints were achieving a 70% completion rate and assessing spiritual well-being (FACIT-Sp) at six months. Secondary endpoints included anxiety (GAD-7), depression (PHQ-9), quality of life (QOL) (CoQoLo), and ACP progress (ACP Engagement Scale) at the same interval.

RESULTS

Forty-one patients (67.2%) completed the six-month follow-up, falling short of the targeted completion rate. The least-squares mean change from baseline in spiritual well-being at six months was 3.00 in the intervention group and -2.22 in the standard care group (difference, 5.22 points; 95% confidence interval, 1.38-9.06; p = .009). Similar superiority of the intervention was observed in QOL and ACP progress.

CONCLUSION

Despite not meeting the targeted completion rate, the intervention group demonstrated enhanced spiritual well-being, QOL, and ACP progress. Our findings suggest revisions to the intervention manual to improve feasibility and to progress to an efficacy-focused randomized controlled trial.

Pre-post-evaluation of a dementia-specific advance care planning toolkit for Japanese primary care clinicians

BACKGROUND

The population of people living with dementia (PLwD) continues to grow in Japan where advance care planning (ACP) for PLwD is relatively new. Our aim was to evaluate the feasibility and cultural acceptability of a dementia-specific ACP communication skills toolkit for Japanese primary care clinicians.

METHODS

We delivered 13 training sessions in primary care clinics across central Japan and conducted a post-training survey to assess whether the toolkit increased confidence in dementia-specific ACP communication skills and the acceptability of the toolkit with the following four statements: (1) The language in the sessions was clear, (2) The sessions took an appropriate amount of time to complete, (3) The design of the sessions was an effective educational method, and (4) The sessions were culturally appropriate for communication with Japanese patients with dementia and their family members. We asked participants to respond using a 5-point Likert scale from strongly agree to strongly disagree.

RESULTS

All participants were Japanese and included 80 physicians (mean age 39.8 years), 33 nurses (mean age 45.7 years), and 58 other participants (mean age 42.9 years), who were 30.0%, 87.9%, and 55.2% female, respectively. Most participants practiced in rural settings. In pre- post-comparisons, participant confidence increased in determining capacity, understanding dementia prognosis, goals of care, eliciting surrogates, recommending self-care practices to families, and leading family meetings (all p < 0.001). Most participants strongly agreed or agreed that the toolkit was an effective method (96.9%), took an appropriate amount of time (94.5%), contained clear language (89.8%), and was culturally appropriate (73.6%).

CONCLUSIONS

Dementia-specific ACP communication skills toolkit can be delivered in Japan. Japanese primary care clinicians generally felt the dementia-specific ACP toolkit increased their confidence in ACP communication skills and was acceptable. The language, time, and design were well received, though further work is needed to improve the cultural appropriateness of the toolkit.

Experiences of dialogue in advance care planning educational programs

BACKGROUND

Advance care planning (ACP) is a process in which adults engage in an ongoing dialogue about future medical treatment and care. Though ACP is recommended to improve the quality of end-of-life care, the details of the dialogue experience in ACP are unknown.

OBJECTIVE

To explore participants' experiences of dialogue in an ACP educational program that encouraged them to discuss the value of a way of life.

RESEARCH DESIGN

This qualitative descriptive study used the focus group interview method. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis.

PARTICIPANTS AND RESEARCH CONTEXT

A dialogue-based ACP educational program was conducted in four regions in Japan for local citizens to discuss the value of their way of life. A total of 66 individuals (mean age = 55.5 ± 17.2 years; 50 women and 16 men) participated in focus group interviews.

ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS

This study was approved by the Ethical Review Committee of Tokyo Women's Medical University (no. 4723) and Kyoto University (no. R2099).

FINDINGS

Five main themes were extracted: discussing one's thoughts with others in a considerate manner, reflecting on one's way of life through others, feeling a sense of connection with others through storytelling, realizing the difficulties of talking about "what if" topics, and turning one's eyes toward the future through the dialogue. These themes were interrelated and illustrated the complexity of the experience of discussing values.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that dialogue in ACP is useful in clarifying values. They also indicated the need for dealing with the ethical challenges of discussing value and the importance of caring for the interlocutor to have a safe dialogue. In the ACP process, safety in dialogue may improve readiness in ACP, and health practitioners who support ACP need to address the ethical challenges entailing dialogue about values.

Web-based questionnaire survey for exploring engagement characteristics of advance care planning in Japan: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

Definitive promotion of advance care planning (ACP) practices will require policy interventions tailored to the characteristics of the Japanese population and society. However, effective policies for promoting ACP are currently lacking in Japan. This study aimed to explore the characteristics of Japanese people who engaged in ACP activities through a web-based questionnaire survey, which was administered to individuals aged 25-64 years and classified into four occupational categories (non-medical/non-caregiving professionals [general population], physicians, nurses, and caregivers).

RESULTS

The total sample size was 1,648, with equal occupational category and age group distributions. Respondents in the general population group were less likely to discuss or document ACP than those in the other groups. Stepwise logistic regression analysis showed a significant difference in the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of the independent variables of "attended cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training session(s)" (aOR: 1.93; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.18-3.15) and "having experience in performing CPR" (aOR: 2.61; 95% CI: 1.51-4.54) for respondents who discussed ACP with their families. A significant difference was observed in the aOR of the independent variable of "having experience in performing CPR" (aOR: 4.58; 95% CI: 2.30-9.13) for respondents who documented a written record of ACP.

Family Physicians' Perspectives and Practices on Advance Care Planning in Regional Cities in Japan and the United States: A Convergent Parallel Mixed-Methods Study

BACKGROUND

Advance care planning (ACP) has been widely recognized and practiced worldwide since the 1990s. However, only a few studies have compared clinicians' international perceptions of and experiences with ACP. Therefore, this study explored the perceptions and practices of family physicians (FPs) regarding ACP in Japan and the United States.

METHODS

We conducted a convergent parallel mixed-methods study using a cross-sectional web-based anonymous questionnaire survey to examine how the perceptions and practices of ACP differ between Japanese and American FPs working in regional cities.

RESULTS

Responses from 20 and 19 FPs in Japan and the United States were obtained, respectively. Both FP groups received ACP training during their residency and practiced ACP with the highest regard for the patient's wishes and values. Quantitative analysis revealed that American FPs placed more emphasis on documentation and patient language skills. Qualitative analysis revealed that Japanese FPs equally emphasized communication with patients' families and with patients. We merged the results of both analyses and hypothesized that the variations in the FPs' approaches to ACP might reflect variations in their backgrounds, such as health insurance systems, cultures, and values in the two countries, rather than differences between individual physicians.

CONCLUSION

Our study showed that both Japanese and American FPs respect patients' wishes in ACP, with some differences in their perceptions and practices. Therefore, FPs should understand and be flexible with their patients' values and cultural backgrounds as intercultural translators while following appropriate management procedures for successful ACP.

A Systematic Review of Non-Seriously Ill Community-Dwelling Asians' Views on Advance Care Planning

OBJECTIVES

To systematically synthesize the views of community-dwelling Asians on Advance care planning and to summarize the factors and reasons affecting their uptake of ACP.

DESIGN

Mixed-methods systematic review (PROSPERO: CRD42018091033).

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

Asian adults (≥18 years old) living in the community globally.

METHODS

Medline (Ovid), Web of Science, CINAHL (EBSCO), Open Grey, and Google Scholar were searched from inception to June 30, 2022. Qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-methods studies reporting on the views of non-seriously ill community-dwelling Asian adults on ACP or the factors influencing their ACP uptake were included. Secondary research, studies not published in English, or studies not available as full text were excluded. Two independent teams of researchers extracted data, assessed methodologic quality, and performed the data analysis. Data analysis was conducted using the multistep convergent integrated approach based on Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for mixed-methods systematic review.

RESULTS

Fifty-eight studies were included. Non-seriously ill community-dwelling Asians were willing to engage in ACP (46.5%-84.4%) although their awareness (3.1%-42.9%) and uptake of ACP remained low (14.0%-53.4%). Background factors (sociodemographic factors, and health status, as well as experience and exposure to information) and underlying beliefs (attitude toward ACP, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control) were found to affect their uptake of ACP. A conceptual framework was developed to facilitate a proper approach to ACP for this population.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

A flexible approach toward ACP is needed for non-seriously ill community-dwelling Asians. There is also a need to raise end-of-life and ACP literacy, and to explore ways to narrow the gap in the expectations and implementation of ACP so that trust in its effective execution can be built.

A Survey of Emergency Nurses' Perceptions and Practices to Support Patients' Families as Surrogate Decision Makers

INTRODUCTION

Family members acting as surrogate decision makers for severely ill patients in emergency and critical care centers face psychological burdens. This study aimed to investigate the actual situation of emergency nurses' perceptions and practices to support patients' families and its structural elements.

METHODS

We created an original 25-item questionnaire and surveyed 164 emergency nurses from 64 emergency and critical care centers regarding their perceptions of caring for people making surrogate decisions. Participants averaged 35.6 years old and 5.1 years as emergency nurses.

RESULTS

Cronbach's α coefficients for importance and practice on the original questionnaire were 0.936 and 0.933, respectively. We identified 4 elements of necessary support for patient families making surrogate decisions according to emergency nurses: "collaboration in understanding the condition of the patient as well as empathetic support," "care that addresses the needs of patient's family members," "confirming the role of nurses and surrogate decision making," and "participation in meeting with a doctor and patient families." In addition, we identified 5 elements that indicate the current state of practice: "support from specialists such as nurses and other professionals," "compassionate care for family members and those who are providing support to family members," "empathetic support for family members," "support for making arrangements that address the needs of family members," and "considerations for family members."

DISCUSSION

According to the findings of this study, emergency nurses should coordinate with other professionals and talk with family members and physicians to increase their understanding of the need to assist in surrogate decision making. In addition, emergency nurses also need to explain to patients' relatives how to support them in surrogate decision making.

Complexity and function of family involvement in advance care planning: A qualitative study of perspectives from people living with advanced cancer, family members and healthcare professionals

BACKGROUND

Family members can support advance care planning conversations. However, how family involvement in advance care planning operates to achieve goal-concordant care remains unclear.

AIM

To explore how family involvement impacts the process of advance care planning for advanced cancer patients and their family members to achieve goal-concordant care in Japan.

DESIGN

Qualitative study incorporating semi-structured in-depth interviews with thematic analysis informed by Family Systems Theory.

SETTING/PARTICIPANTS

Medical oncology departments at two tertiary hospitals in Japan. A purposive sample of 13 advanced cancer patients, 10 family members and 9 healthcare professionals who cared for them.

RESULTS

Twenty-five interviews were conducted, comprising 7 dyads of patients and their family members and 18 individual interviews. Four themes were identified: characteristics of patients and family members and their views on illness and advance care planning; family context and communication; interactions with healthcare professionals and societal and cultural influences; and family members' acceptance, preparation and confidence. Family involvement was observed as being variable at an individual level and also across generations. Family members provided patients with the instrumental and emotional support that facilitated the advance care planning process. Family involvement enabled family members to better prepare for realising patients' wishes. It increased family members' confidence in surrogate decision-making.

CONCLUSIONS

Two mechanisms of how family involvement may enable goal-concordant care were identified: family members' support provision and their preparation for realising patients' wishes. Healthcare professionals should assess family's readiness to engage in advance care planning, and the time required to prepare them for the process.

Factors Impacting Advance Decision Making and Health Care Agent Appointment among Taiwanese Urban Residents after the Passage of Patient Right to Autonomy Act

In recent years, advance care planning (ACP) promotion in Taiwan has expanded beyond clinical practice to the broader population. This study aims to investigate people's attitudes toward ACP and to identify factors influencing their signing of advance directives (ADs) and appointment of health care agents (HCAs).

METHODS

We identified 2337 ACP participants from consultation records between 2019 and 2020. The relationships among the participants' characteristics, AD completion, and HCA appointment were investigated.

RESULTS

Of 2337 cases, 94.1% completed ADs and 87.8% were appointed HCAs. Welfare entitlement (OR = 0.47, p < 0.001), the place ACP progressed (OR = 0.08, p < 0.001), the participation of second-degree relatives (OR = 2.50, p < 0.001), and the intention of not being a family burden (OR = 1.65, p = 0.010) were significantly correlated with AD completion. The probability of appointing HCAs was higher in participants with family caregiving experience (OR = 1.42, p < 0.05), who were single (OR = 1.49, p < 0.05), and who expected a good death with dignity (OR = 1.65, p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Our research shows that adopting ACP discussion in Taiwan is feasible, which encourages ACP conversation and facilitates AD completion.

IMPLICATIONS

Male and younger adults may need extra encouragement to discuss ACP matters with their families.

LIMITATIONS

due to sampling restrictions, our data were chosen from an urban district to ensure the integrity of the results. Furthermore, interview data could be collected in future research to supplement the quantitative results.

Japanese Local Governments' Dissemination Activities for Advance Care Planning: A Descriptive Analysis of a Nationwide Survey during the COVID-19 Pandemic

This study aims to compare the awareness-raising activities between municipalities with and without focused anti-infection measures during the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Descriptive analysis was conducted using a nationwide self-administered questionnaire survey on municipalities' activities for residents and for healthcare providers and care workers (HCPs) in October 2022 in Japan. This study included 433 municipalities that had conducted awareness-raising activities before 2019 Fiscal Year. Workshops for residents were conducted in 85.2% of the municipalities, and they were more likely to be conducted in areas with focused anti-infection measures than those without measures (86.8% vs. 75.4%). Additionally, 85.9% of the municipalities were impacted by the pandemic; 50.1% canceled workshops, while 26.0% switched to a web-based style. Activities for HCPs were conducted in 55.2-63.7% of the municipalities, and they were more likely to be conducted in areas with focused anti-infection measures. A total of 50.6-62.1% of the municipalities changed their workshops for HCPs to a web-based style. Comparisons between areas with and without focused anti-infection measures indicated that the percentages of those impacted for all activities were not significantly different. In conclusion, awareness-raising activities in municipalities were conducted with new methods during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using information technology is essential to further promote such activities for residents.

Factors of Parental Preparation of Children with Mental Illnesses for Their Independent Living after Their Own Death

Families of children with mental illnesses are often concerned about living in the community after their parents' death. The cross-sectional study aimed to examine the association between how parents prepare adult children with mental illnesses to live independently after the death of the parent(s). The participants were 1112 members of 46 family support groups for mental illnesses in Tokyo, Japan. The age of the people with mental illness was 40s, and that of their parents was 70s. Logistic regression analysis showed that mothers' support in daily living, no income or pension for disabled people, staying at home during free time, and parental livelihood being the same as the person with mental illness were factors that were negatively associated with the independent living of people with mental illness. In contrast, parental participation in the family group and creating a system for securing regular living expenses of the person with mental illness were positively associated with independent living. The results suggest that parents need to promote their children's recovery and prepare them financially by forecasting their independent living after their own death.

Practical management of older adults with cancer: geriatric oncology in Japan

Japan has the highest proportion of older adults globally, and the average life expectancy of the Japanese population has increased in recent decades. Given that the incidence of cancer increases with age, it is a major health concern for older adults. However, geriatric oncology is a relatively new field and collaboration between oncologists and geriatricians in Japan is limited. Hence, oncologists and other healthcare professionals engaged in cancer care have not been able to adequately understand geriatric care, and information and experience are insufficient for this specific population. Thus, they may struggle with the assessment and management of older adults with cancer. Recently, several Japanese academic societies for cancer have developed practical guidelines and research policy with regard to geriatric research in older adults with cancer, in addition to organizing symposia and workshops focusing especially on geriatric oncology. Furthermore, because the Japan Geriatrics Society established a discipline committee on cancer, close collaboration between oncologists and geriatricians has grown steadily. Geriatric oncology is currently recognized as an important field of cancer care in Japan. The integration of oncology and geriatric care is anticipated in the near future. However, understanding the aspects of geriatric care and meanings of technical jargons used in geriatric oncology is difficult. Accordingly, this article provides an overview of the current knowledge and recent advancements in geriatric oncology. In addition, it outlines the current status and problems of geriatric oncology in Japan.

Opportunities and challenges for advance care planning in strongly religious family-centric societies: a Focus group study of Indonesian cancer-care professionals

Background

Most studies on advance care planning in Asia originate in high-income Asian countries. Indonesia is a middle-income Asian country characterized by its religious devoutness and strong family ties. This study aims to explore the perspectives and experiences of Indonesian healthcare professionals on advance care planning for cancer patients.

Methods

Focus-group discussions were conducted in July and August 2019 and were analysed using thematic content analysis enhanced by dual coding and exploration of divergent views. Purposive sampling of physicians and nurses actively engaged in cancer care in a national cancer centre and a national general hospital.

Results

We included 16 physicians and 16 nurses. These participants were open to the idea of advance care planning. We further identified four aspects of this planning that the participants considered to be important: 1) the family’s role in medical decision-making; 2) sensitivity to communication norms; 3) patients’ and families’ religious beliefs regarding the control and sanctity of life; and 4) the availability of a support system for advance care planning (healthcare professionals’ education and training, public education, resource allocation, and formal regulation). Participants believed that, although family hierarchical structure and certain religious beliefs may complicate patients’ engagement in advance care planning, a considerate approach to involving family and patients’ religious perspectives in advance care planning may actually facilitate their engagement in it.

Conclusion

Indonesian healthcare professionals believed that, for culturally congruent advance care planning in Indonesia, it was essential to respect the cultural aspects of collectivism, communication norms, and patients’ religious beliefs.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12904-022-01002-6.

Case report on the legal assurance of Advance Care Planning in collective culture

This case report shows that there is a lack of a legal framework in Japan to protect patients' right during the end‐of‐life period, which hinders the implementation of ACP in medical practice. This report suggests that legal support can contribute to the advancement of ACP while addressing cultural differences.

Advance Care Planning has been widely advocated in Japan, but it has not yet taken root. The collective decision making culture in Japan may unconsciously overpower or ignore the patients' wishes, hence legal support can mitigate its negative impacts on ACP.