Using Film as a Tool to Promote and Enhance ACP in a Faith-Based African American Community (TH309): AAHPM Black Professionals Patients and Families in HPM Forum Endorsed

Abstract

•Understand the ACCA's ACP tool review and tool development processes.•Learn strategies for developing, adapting, and piloting a film tool to empower end-of-life decision-making and advance care planning in the faith-based African American community Disparities exist between African American and White patients when it comes to medical care at the end of life. African Americans die more often attached to invasive technology, in medical facilities rather than at home, and with untreated pain. Culturally sensitive tools for Advance Care Planning support patient-centered care and can improve health outcomes. Few such tools are tailored for use in the African American community. This must change. The Alameda County Care Alliance (ACCA) is an organization embedded within 14 churches in Alameda and Contra Costa counties in California that teaches local pastors, clergy, and patient-care navigators to help empower congregants in making end-of-life healthcare decisions. Many African Americans are actively involved in organized religion, so the church is the perfect venue to educate and empower. Moreover, given the lack of trust of our healthcare system common in communities of color, educational programming that is vetted and led by trusted members of the community—pastors, clergy, and fellow members—is more likely to be impactful and effective. So far, the ACCA has tested and reviewed 20 such ACP tools for usability, acceptance, and cultural sensitivity, identifying gaps and developing tools for use in the faith-based African American community. “Extremis” (Netflix, 2017) is a short documentary filmed in the public hospital in Oakland, CA. It tells the stories of several dying patients and the staff that cares for them. The film is a natural fit for the ACCA community, given that it highlights African American patients, takes place in Oakland, and is short and impactful. The “Extremis” intervention is a multi-pronged program, including Preparation, Viewing, Didactic program, guided group conversation, and ACP activities.This presentation will describe the iterative process of creating, piloting, and improving a new film tool for use in African American communities of faith.