Ronald E. McNair Program

Janiece Austin

Name: Janiece Austin
School: Tougaloo College
Major: Sociology
Mentor: Dr. Jo Ann O’Quinn
Expected Graduation Date: May 2006
Organizations & Honors

• Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society
• National Dean’s List
• McNair Scholar
• Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc.

E-MAIL: niecynicy@yahoo.com

COMMENTS
This has been a great learning experience. This program has not only granted me the opportunity to gain researching skills, but it has given me the opportunity to prepare for the GRE. During the first week I thought I could not handle going to class and doing research. I had to learn how to manage my time and work at my own pace. I also met a lot of people who will have a positive effect on my life. This program will open many doors for me in the future.

ABSTRACT

Advance Care Planning for End-of-life Issues

Advance care planning is used to enhance the process of healthcare decision-making and, hopefully, produce a much better outcome of care. Advance care planning can be very important in establishing comfort with end-of-life decisions and allow an individual to design future medical care during the critical stages of end-of-life. Advance care planning make one’s wishes known about healthcare decisions if one becomes unable to do so through use of two types of advance directives: power of healthcare attorney and a living will. The significance of this research is to provide information and resources to educate individuals about advance directives and hopefully increase the completion rate of advance directives.