Differences in Attitudes toward Advanced Cancer Care Planning through the Scope of Culture, Israel

Advance Care Planning aims to define the appropriate end-of-life care for cancer patients. It is designed to help patients acknowledge their preferences, values, and goals and to make decisions regarding their care accordingly. The process is beneficial for strengthening communication patterns and increasing quality of care; however, this process encounters several challenges such as patients’ difficulty in acknowledging the harsh existential truth regarding their mortality. Cultural perceptions and traditions, such as the idea of a “good death,” the role of family members, and attitudes regarding patient’s autonomy, have been found to significantly impact a person’s outlook toward end-of-life care. These values should be acknowledged and considered during Advance Care Planning in order to provide the most appropriate, culturally sensitive care.