This module is designed to introduce you to the important issues that face Latino patients and their families during one of the most emotional and trying times in their lives. Searight and Gafford (1) summarize the potential issues very well in an excerpt taken from their abstract below:

"The U.S. model of health care, which values autonomy in medical decision making, is not easily applied to members of some racial or ethnic groups. Cultural factors strongly influence patients’ reactions to serious illness and decisions about end-of-life care....In contrast to the emphasis on “truth telling” in the United States, it is not uncommon for health care professionals outside the United States to conceal serious diagnoses from patients,
because disclosure of serious illness may be viewed as disrespectful, impolite, or even harmful to the patient. Similarly, with regard to decision making, the U.S. emphasis on patient autonomy may contrast with preferences for more family-based, physician-based, or shared physician- and family-based decision making among some cultures. Finally, survey data suggest lower rates of advance directive completion among patients of specific ethnic backgrounds, which may reflect distrust of the U.S. health care system, current health care disparities, cultural perspectives on death and suffering, and family dynamics...."

After completing this module, the learner will be able to:

• Describe the cultural context of death to the Hispanic/Latino individual and family;
• Recognize the role of the family in end-of-life decisions;
• Recognize the role of spirituality and religion in end-of-life decisions;
• Discuss the barriers in the care of dying Hispanic/Latino patients;
• Describe some of the medical approaches that are more cultural-sensitive to the needs of the Hispanic/Latino dying patient and their family.

 

• Pre-test (to see how much you already know and don't know about this subject)
• Case
• End of Life Issues for Latinos
• Cultural context of death
• Role of family in end of life decisions
• Role of religion and spirituality
• Medical interventions and caring for the dying Latino patient
• Barriers to end of life care
• Recommendations
• Post-test (to see how much you learned)
• Evaluation

We would suggest that you approach this module in a sequential manner as it is layed out for you. The buttons on the left margin will allow you to return to any particular section. We would suggest that you avoid the temptation to jump around and not read all of the content provided. At the bottom right hand corner of each section you will find a link taking you to the next section of the module. 

Start with the "Pre-test". Be sure to complete all of the questions and don't forget to click on the "Submit" button. Then move on to the "Case", and then the content. Review all of the learning material provided to you. Finally, finish with the "Post-test" and submit your answers. We also ask that you complete a short evaluation about the module (this is part of the assignment - so please complete the evaluation!). Your feedback will help us in making this learning module as effective as it can be. Contact Pam Racansky if you have any problems with the module. Good luck!

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