Conocimiento y valoración por parte de los ciudadanos de Cataluña sobre las voluntades anticipadas y la atención al final de la vida

Abstract

Objective: Information on the knowledge and assessment of the Catalonian public on advancedirectives and end-of-life care is presented.Methods: Descriptive study based on data from the Health Survey of Catalonia, administeredduring the second half of 2011 to a sample (n = 1,394) representing the non-institutionalizedpopulation of Catalonia by a survey team that visited the residences of randomly selectedpeople.Results: On a scale of 0-10 citizens especially valued, avoiding physical and psychological suf-fering (9), speaking with their family (8.8), being properly informed (8.6), participating in careplanning (8.4), designating a representative (8.4), and to be responsible for their own life andto terminate it if they wish to do so. (8.1). The advance directives document is moderatelyknown (44.4%), valued (7.6 on a scale of 0 to 10), but little used (only 1.9% of respondents hasmade such a document); 63.1% express a willingness to do so and 61.4% considered the help ofhealth professionals to make one as important.Conclusions: There is dissociation between respondents' wishes and reality. In order to reducethis dissociation, strategies have to be found, such as greater involvement of health careprofessionals in advance care planning and development of advance directives document.