Abstract
Advance directives (AD) can be used for the communication of healthcare decisions that may be required in the future when individuals have lost their capacity to make such decisions. The aim of this study is to examine the prevalence, perception, and predictors of AD completion in the Hong Kong general population with a diverse culture. Through random-digit dialing, a population-based telephone survey was conducted with participants aged 18 or above. Socio-demographic characteristics, self-perception and health status, prevalence of AD, and perceptions related to AD were assessed. The acceptance on completing AD was measured by the summed score on the level of agreement in making AD. In total, 2002 participants completed the survey, with only 0.5% having made AD. However, the majority of those who had heard about AD had made or intended to make AD (80.2%). Multivariable regression analysis showed that being religious, being optimistic, and agreeing to respect patients’ wishes are independently associated with higher AD acceptance. Being a student is associated with lower AD acceptance. The extremely low completion rate of AD, but high acceptance of AD urges for more active promotion of AD to the public and education on end-of-life care among university students.
Highlights
Patients are sometimes kept alive when they would prefer to die in peace, dignity, and comfort.For example, the application of mechanical ventilation during the advanced stage of a critical illness may extend a patient’s lifespan, but it may prolong their suffering
Personal preferences of end-of-life (EOL) decisions can be communicated in the form of written statements, known as advance directives (AD), concerning any healthcare decisions that may be required in the future when individuals have lost the capacity to make such decisions
225 subjects were either absent from the interviews or withdrew from the study
Summary
Patients are sometimes kept alive when they would prefer to die in peace, dignity, and comfort. The application of mechanical ventilation during the advanced stage of a critical illness may extend a patient’s lifespan, but it may prolong their suffering. Healthcare professionals often face difficult dilemmas in determining treatment choices for the very ill patients or those lacking the capacity to communicate treatment choices and without any previous evidence of their wishes. Personal preferences of end-of-life (EOL) decisions can be communicated in the form of written statements, known as advance directives (AD), concerning any healthcare decisions that may be required in the future when individuals have lost the capacity to make such decisions. The AD concept is largely derived from the principle of informed consent and a belief in personal autonomy regarding healthcare decisions. Public Health 2019, 16, 365; doi:10.3390/ijerph16030365 www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph
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