Faculty Articles
Factors Associated With Favorable Attitudes Toward End-of-Life Planning
Publication Title
American Journal of Hospice & Palliative Medicine
ISSN
1049-9091
Publication Date
5-1-2011
Abstract
Abstract Planning for end-of-life (EOL) care can result in better patient outcomes and lowered health care costs. We hypothesized that knowledge and experiences with EOL care would influence patients’ EOL planning (i.e., health care decisions, hospice use). Using an observational, cross-sectional design, we recruited a community sample of 331 South Floridians aged 18 to 84 (M ¼ 44 years, SD ¼ 14.95) to complete a questionnaire examining knowledge and opinions on EOL issues. Regression analyses showed that prior knowledge of living wills and hospice services were associated with more favorable attitudes toward hospice care, preference for limited medical interventions at EOL, and more comfort in communicating about death and dying. Patient education on EOL care may increase hospice use, enhance EOL planning, and improve patient outcomes.
DOI
10.1177/1049909110382770
Volume
28
Issue
3
First Page
176
Last Page
182
Disciplines
Medical Specialties | Medicine and Health Sciences | Osteopathic Medicine and Osteopathy
NSUWorks Citation
Ruff, H; Jacobs, Robin J.; Fernandez, Maria I.; Bowen, George Stephen; and Gerber, H, "Factors Associated With Favorable Attitudes Toward End-of-Life Planning" (2011). Faculty Articles. 290.
https://nsuworks.nova.edu/hpd_com_faculty_articles/290