The lack of advance directives among hospice patients

This study reported a lower than expected prevalence of advance directives among hospice patients. The presence of an advance directive was related to certain sociodemographic factors, diagnosis, and previous physician-patient advance directive discussions. Barriers that precluded the completion of an advance directive primarily involved a lack of physician-patient advance directive discussions or a lack of patient understanding. This study confirmed the importance of physician-patient discussion toward completion of an advance directive. Improving physician-patient communication about this issue should increase the prevalence of advance directive completion among hospice patients.