Aim: The recognition that someone's ethnic identity does not necessarily predict their health-care beliefs and preferences, and lack of scientific evidence on this topic provide the fundamental justification for this study. The aim of this descriptive qualitative study was to determine the attitudes about and preferences for pain management in the last days of life for persons born in Japan, China and Vietnam living in Texas.
Method: Personal interviews were conducted to elicit people's perspectives on pain management, such as open or indirect acknowledgement of pain and endurance of pain for clarity of consciousness.
Results: Thematic analysis revealed three overarching themes for the Japanese group and five themes each for the Chinese and Vietnamese groups. Avoidance of stereotyping based on cultural background was a major finding of this study.
Conclusion: Promoting quality of life in the last days of life is a priority for health professionals, and effective, individualised management of pain is of the utmost importance.
Keywords: Asians; Cultural diversity; End-of-life; Pain management; Palliative care.