Document 0720
 DOCN  M95A0720
 TI    Use of advance directives: a survey in three clinics.
 DT    9510
 AU    Gilligan MA; Jensen N; Department of Medicine, University of Washington,
       Seattle.
 SO    Wis Med J. 1995;94(5):239-43. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE MED/95343611
 AB    Advance directives (ADs) are instructions from patients to their
       physician and family regarding their wishes for medical care in the
       event they become incapable of communicating those wishes. This study
       sought to describe the characteristics of adults who have completed
       advance directives and those who have expressed interest in them, and to
       determine what distinguishes these groups from the group with no
       interest in ADs. A further objective was to survey the study population
       on the barriers to completion of ADs. A random sample of 160 outpatients
       visiting one of three clinics (General Internal Medicine Clinic (GIM),
       HIV Clinic, and Oncology Clinic) were selected for the study. A 10-item
       questionnaire was administered which included questions on familiarity
       with, sources of information on, and interest in ADs. Demographic
       information was collected as well as information on subject experiences
       with illness and death. Twenty-six of the 160 participants (16%) had
       completed ADs. The prevalence of completion differed among the three
       clinics: HIV Clinic 25%, Oncology Clinic 18%, and GIM Clinic 8%. Nearly
       all patients (95%) expressed interest in ADs. Those not interested in
       ADs were more likely than those who were interested or those who had
       already completed ADs to have been in an intensive care unit themselves.
       Multiple barriers to completing ADs were identified. Advance directives
       are still used by relatively few people despite a general openness and
       interest in them. Few characteristics, demographic and otherwise, were
       identified to distinguish those who completed ADs from those who did
       not.
 DE    Adult  *Advance Directives  Aged  Aged, 80 and over  Demography  Female
       Human  *Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice  Male  Middle Age  Outpatients
       Questionnaires  JOURNAL ARTICLE

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).