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Patients' attitudes toward advance directives
Rebecca Douglas1, Hazel N Brown
1Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio, TX, USA. Becncol@aol.com
Summary
Hospitalized patients are moderately positive about advance directives. Specific reasons, not just attitudes, drive completion, highlighting the need for nurse-led education on these important end-of-life documents.
Area of Science:
- Medical Sociology
- Healthcare Ethics
- Patient Advocacy
Background:
- Advance directives are crucial legal documents for end-of-life care planning.
- Understanding patient perspectives is key to improving advance care planning.
- Previous research indicates varied patient engagement with advance directives.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate hospitalized patients' attitudes towards advance directives.
- To identify reasons for completing or not completing advance directive forms.
- To examine demographic factors associated with advance directive completion.
Main Methods:
- A convenience sample of 30 hospitalized patients in North Carolina participated.
- Interviews were conducted using an adapted advance directive attitude survey (ADAS).
- The adapted survey demonstrated established validity and reliability.
Main Results:
- Most participants received information and held moderately positive views on advance directives.
- Completed advance directives were more common among Caucasians, females, those over 65, with less than a high school education, and those perceiving poor health.
- A majority believed advance directives ensure their end-of-life treatment preferences are honored.
Conclusions:
- Patient attitudes alone do not predict advance directive completion.
- Specific motivations influence patients' decisions to complete advance directives.
- Nurses play a vital role in educating patients, families, and physicians about advance directives.