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

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