 |
 |
 next story |
|
|
 |
 Benefits of Discussing Advance Directives with Patients Summary of a July 15, 2001 article in American Family Physician. For the full article, link to www.aafp.org/afp/20010715/tips/4.html. A study was conducted of patients who were at least 75 years of age or 50-74 years of age with chronic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic renal insufficiency, liver failure or cancer. Before the study, only 2% of the patients reported having had a discussion about advance directives with their physician. During the study 16% discussed advance directives with their physician. If there was an advance directive discussion that day (during exam) the rating of "excellent" was given to 44% of visits, compared with a 35% "excellent" rating for visits that did not include advance directive discussions. The authors conclude that improved patient satisfaction with the physician's care of the patient is among the many benefits of discussing advance directives.  |
|
 |
