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DOI: 10.1177/0193945903254062
Communicating End-of-Life PreferencesUniversity of Connecticut, School of Nursing
University of Connecticut, School of Nursing
University of Connecticut, School of Nursing
John Dempsey Hospital, University of Connecticut Health Center
University of Connecticut, School of Nursing
University of Connecticut, School of Nursing
Hartford Hospital Emergency Department
Orthopedic Associates of Hartford
Division of Cardiology, Hartford Hospital
New York University Medical Center
New York University Medical Center The purpose of this survey was to explore how adults communicate their end-of-life preferences. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 119 community-dwelling adults who had previously engaged in conversations about their end-of-life preferences. Factors that made it easier to initiate the discussion included having personal experience with illness or death (24.4%), being straightforward (24.4%), or having someone else facilitate the discussion (11.8%). Most described vague end-of-life preferences such as not wanting any machines (41.2%) or heroics (34.5%). Although 22.7% reported using a living will to make their preferences clear, only 5.9% mentioned repeating or reinforcing their preferences. In all, 21% had discussed their end-of-life preferences with their physicians. These findings show discussions about end-of-life preferences frequently lack the clarity and detail needed by significant others and health care providers to honor the preferences. Routine dialogue with health care providers and significant others about end-of-life preferences might provide greater clarity and comfort.
Key Words: advance care planning • communication • advance directories
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