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 = 44 years, SD = 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.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 176-182 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine |
Volume | 28 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - May 2011 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- advanced care planning
- advanced directive
- death and dying
- end of life
- hospice
- living will
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Medicine