Faculty note: Higgins publication

Doreen Higgins, associate professor of Social Work and coordinator for the master’s in social work program, is co-author of a paper published in the May 2013 edition of the journal Educational Gerontology. Higgins collaborated with Prof. Eunjeong Ko of San Diego State University on the article, “Do older Korean immigrants engage in end-of-life communication?” Their research observes that not every culture is receptive to end-of-life planning, and relatively little is known about older Korean immigrants’ end-of-life communication with family and health care professionals. This article presents findings from a cross-sectional study conducted with 195 older Korean immigrants that show only about one in five have engaged in such discussion. Culturally appropriate interventions to promote dialogue regarding treatment preferences among older adults, family, and health care professionals are recommended.