How physicians can use patients' bucket lists to improve care: 6 takeaways

Physicians can encourage discussion on individualized treatment and help patients plan for end-of-life care by asking patients about their bucket lists, according to a study in the Journal of Palliative Medicine.

The researchers surveyed 3,056 participants across the U.S. and found 91 percent of respondents had created a bucket list, which is a number of experiences a person aims to have during their lifetime. 

Here are six takeaways from the study.

1. Respondents who said faith and spirituality were important to them were more likely to have made a bucket list. 

2. When examining respondents' ages, the older they were, the more likely they were to have a bucket list. Respondents younger than 26 tended to include more extreme activities on their lists, such as skydiving.

3. Past research indicates when physicians talk with patients about their goals for future care, particularly those with chronic or terminal illnesses, these discussions can be a critical part of patients' advance-care planning process. However, physicians frequently feel awkward about initiating these discussions, especially when they involve end-of-life care, the study authors said.

4. Physicians should be aware of patients' future wishes so they avoid providing treatments that could prevent patients from fulfilling these wishes or misunderstanding the life impact of these treatments, the study authors wrote. "Discussing a patient's bucket list is just a good way to start these conversations," said VJ Periyakoil, MD, lead study author.

5. Periyakoil encourages physicians and patients to bring up bucket lists. "Most people are far more open to talking about their life's goals in this context before filling out an advance directive, a written statement of a person's wishes regarding medical treatment at the end of life," she added.

6. "Patients don't see the relevance of an advance directive," Dr. Periyakoil said. "They do see the relevance of a bucket list as a way to help them plan ahead for what matters most in their lives."

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