Factors that affect health professionals’ preparation of advanced directives in Korea

Abstract

A survey was conducted among medical professionals including hospices, nurses, and administrative personnel who often heard the concept of AD and had many chances to observe related medical occasions to grasp their attitudes toward the preparation of AD. The logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine whether the objects agreed upon preparation of the form of AD and its effect on decisions about meaningless life-prolonging treatment. Factors affecting decisions about the preparation of AD included religion and education in the case of hospices, income and education in the case of nurses, and marriage, income, working experience, legislative institutionalization, and education in the case of administrative personnel. Factors affecting the decision of rejecting meaningless life-prolonging treatment (life-prolonging equipment) included working experience and the one who would make out the form in the case of hospices, income, and working experience in the case of nurses, and income and working experience in the case of administrative personnels. Factors affecting the decision of rejecting meaningless life-prolonging treatment (artificial nutrient supply) included working experience and the one who would make the form in the case of hospices, working experience in the case of nurses, and income and working experience in the case of administrative personnel. It turned out that there was a difference in the recognition of AD and meaningless life-prolonging treatment among medical professionals. Hence, it is vital to deliver accurate information on Advanced Directives, reduce differences among the members, and form a social consensus so that patients’ right of autonomous choice and dignity can be guaranteed.