What do Galicia's nurses know about living wills?

Area of Science:

• Medical Ethics
• Nursing Practice
• Public Health Policy

Background:

• Living wills, or advance directives, are crucial for patient autonomy in healthcare decision-making.
• Understanding healthcare professionals' knowledge and attitudes is vital for effective implementation of living wills.
• Previous research indicates variability in healthcare providers' familiarity with advance directives.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the knowledge and attitudes of nurses regarding living wills within the Servizo Galego de Saúde in Spain.
• To identify gaps in nurses' understanding of the legal and practical aspects of living wills.
• To evaluate nurses' perceptions of their role and patients' rights concerning advance directives.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive, cross-sectional, multi-centre study was conducted.
• Stratified sampling included nurses from three University Hospital Complexes in Spain.
• Data were collected using a validated self-administered questionnaire in the first semester of 2018.

Main Results:

• A total of 262 nurses participated, revealing a significant lack of knowledge about the legal aspects and documentation of living wills (61%-93% failure rate).
• Only 2% of nurses felt adequately informed, yet 50% acknowledged a professional obligation to discuss living wills.
• Despite knowledge deficits, 84% affirmed the importance of patient values, 89% recognized patients' rights, and 83% would recommend living wills to chronic patients.

Conclusions:

• Nurses exhibit substantial deficits in knowledge concerning the legal framework and application of living wills, hindering their capacity to counsel patients effectively.
• Positive attitudes prevail, with a majority of nurses supporting the concept of living wills and advocating for their use among patients.
• Interventions are needed to enhance nurses' understanding and confidence in discussing and facilitating advance care planning.