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Advance directives among patients in a house call program
1Department of Family Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore.
The Journal of the American Board of Family Practice
|January 1, 1992
Summary
Elderly homebound patients are more aware of durable power of attorney than living wills, yet many lack advance directives. Discussing end-of-life care preferences is crucial for ensuring patient autonomy.
Area of Science:
- Geriatrics
- Bioethics
- Health Law
Background:
- Advance directives empower competent individuals to guide future medical decisions.
- Living wills and durable power of attorney are key components of advance care planning.
- Understanding advance directive prevalence in elderly homebound populations is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess awareness and utilization of advance directives among elderly homebound patients.
- To identify knowledge gaps regarding living wills and durable power of attorney.
Main Methods:
- A house call program surveyed 116 elderly patients or caregivers via telephone.
- Interviews assessed knowledge and possession of wills, living wills, and durable power of attorney.
- Demographic and medical data were collected through interviews and chart reviews.
Main Results:
- Over 60% of patients knew about durable power of attorney, with over half having one.
- Awareness of living wills was lower (about 33%), and only 5% possessed one.
- Approximately one-third of patients had a general will.
Conclusions:
- Advance directives are vital for maintaining patient autonomy in end-of-life scenarios.
- Physicians and patients should proactively discuss end-of-life treatment preferences.
- Improved education on advance directives is needed for the elderly homebound.