1287 Healthcare professionals’ views on engaging ethnic minorities in advance care planning: a qualitative exploration

<h3>Aim</h3> To explore healthcare professionals’ (HCPs) perspectives on the barriers and enablers to engaging ethnic minority populations in advance care planning (ACP) in Ireland. <h3>Background</h3> Ireland’s increasing cultural diversity presents both opportunities and challenges in delivering person-centered, equitable palliative care. ACP, a cornerstone of quality care, is often underutilized among ethnic minority groups. This study was inspired by a recognition of the need for culturally responsive healthcare practices and the limited Irish research on HCPs’ views in this context. <h3>Method</h3> Guided by a socioecological framework and a constructivist paradigm, this qualitative study used purposive sampling to recruit nine HCPs from various palliative care settings. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. The study adhered to the Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research (SRQR). <h3>Results</h3> Four themes were identified reflecting the complexity of providing culturally responsive ACP, including (1) Competencies, Beliefs, and Readiness; (2) Family and Interpreters as a Double-Edged Sword, (3) Lack of Culturally Sensitive Resources, and (4) Need for Tailored Policies and System-Wide Change. HCPs highlighted limited awareness of ACP in ethnic minority communities and acknowledged their own cultural competence gaps. While families and interpreters often facilitated communication, they could also hinder honest or effective ACP conversations. Participants cited a lack of accessible, translated, and culturally relevant ACP materials. Time constraints, resource limitations, and rigid systems made it difficult to deliver culturally responsive care. <h3>Discussion</h3> The findings reveal how individual, interpersonal, organizational and systemic factors intersect to shape ACP experiences with ethnically diverse populations in Ireland. <h3>Unique Contribution</h3> This is one of the first Irish studies to explore ACP with ethnic minority populations from the perspective of HCPs. It uses a socioecological theoretical framework to highlight under-researched but critical challenges in providing culturally sensitive palliative care. The study brings forward the voices of practitioners navigating these complexities on the ground and emphasize the importance of co-designing culturally responsive approaches. <h3>Implications for Policy or Practice</h3> To make ACP inclusive and effective, systemic barriers must be addressed. This includes embedding cultural competence training across professional development, developing and translating culturally relevant materials, and enabling more flexible, time-sensitive care delivery. Roles such as ACP advocates and engagement with community leaders could foster trust and improve uptake. Ultimately, inclusion in ACP is not just a palliative care issue, it reflects broader commitments to justice, inclusion, and person-centered care in a multicultural society.