Date of Conferral
2023
Degree
Doctor of Social Work (DSW)
School
Social Work
Advisor
Mamie Futrell
Abstract
Caucasian social workers who work in healthcare and implement advance care planning (ACP) may not be competent regarding African Americans’ reluctance to complete advance directives. Research is lacking on how Caucasian social workers in Louisiana are increasing their cultural competence regarding the interplay of historical trauma, past medical mistrust, and spiritual beliefs on African Americans’ use of ACP. This study explored how Caucasian social workers are increasing their cultural competence regarding the interplay of historical trauma, past medical mistrust, and spiritual beliefs on African Americans’ use of ACP. The conceptual framework that guided this study was the cultural competence model. A basic qualitative approach was used with semistructured interviews of nine Caucasian social workers who currently or previously worked in a hospice or hospital. Five themes were identified: (a) cultural awareness, (b) cultural communication, (c) cultural considerations, (d) cultural knowledge, and (e) cultural responsiveness. Knowing how Caucasian social workers are increasing their cultural competence in Louisiana could affect positive social change in how they communicate, connect, and engage in the African American community by building trusting relationships while decreasing undesirable outcomes and fear in healthcare systems.
Recommended Citation
Mitchell, Lisa, "Caucasian Social Workers’ Cultural Competence Regarding Advance Care Planning Among Southern African Americans" (2023). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 14347.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/14347
