Unfolding and displaying the influencing factors of advance directives from the stakeholder’s perspective: A concept mapping approach

Abstract

Aims: To develop a culturally relevant conceptual map to discover perceptions of a statutory form of advance directive (AD) for Hong Kong Chinese.

Design: This was the first study on AD using a concept mapping approach with two phases.

Methods: The data collection of the two phases was conducted from February 2016–February 2017. In Phase I, 96 participants were recruited using purposive sampling. In Phase II, multi‐dimensional scaling and hierarchical cluster analysis were used to create a concept map based on quantitative data.

Results: The map depicted six clusters of factors affecting the acceptance of AD, with their importance rating in decreasing order: Conditional factor, value system, process of AD, physical and illness factor, personal situation factor, and socio‐cultural factor.

Conclusion: The study adopted a comprehensive approach to unfolding the multi‐faceted factors affecting the acceptance of ADs by stakeholders. Strategies targeting the clusters could be developed to facilitate the discussion and completion of AD.