Quality Improvement: C3 in Advance Care Planning: A Gift of Clarity

The Collaborative Cultural Competence (C3) in Advance Care planning is a systems approach framework to tackle issues with low Advance Care Planning and Advance Directive completion in American adults and especially African Americans. The factors accounting for the continuous gap in AD completion among African Americans are not well understood. This book initiates the Advance Care Planning Conversation via a quality improvement project in a faith-based community. Collaboration at the micro and macro systems level is important between health care professionals in the acute and primary care settings, faith leaders, and health care providers in their communities. This approach allows patients to receive the care they need while in the community, rather than in an admitted hospital bed.

This impactful book also offers the views and perspectives of some African Americans who have first-hand experience of the topic. The themes from these testimonials are key to identifying vital barriers and solutions specific to the African American population. It will take cultural sensitivity and competence for health care professionals to meet the patients where they are. It will take collaboration at the micro and macro levels to make sustainable changes that will close the care gap. The outcome is a gift of clarity for the patient, their family, and the health care professionals - a win-win.