A new study published in the Journal of Hospital Medicine shows discussing and documenting patients' preferences for care at the end of life does not cause them any harm, contrary to recent claims.
The study included 356 patients admitted at three different hospitals who had low or medium risks of dying within one year. Patients were followed from 2003-2009. During the study, there were no differences in survival for patients who had an end-of-life discussion and those who had not. There also were no survival differences for those who had a living will in their medical record and those who did not.
The study's authors hope their findings may begin to change negative public opinion around legislative attempts to promote end-of-life discussions with critically ill patients. "We hope our study provides data to help inform the national debate about advance directives for key stakeholders; healthcare providers, policy makers, and patients and families," authors of the study wrote.
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The study included 356 patients admitted at three different hospitals who had low or medium risks of dying within one year. Patients were followed from 2003-2009. During the study, there were no differences in survival for patients who had an end-of-life discussion and those who had not. There also were no survival differences for those who had a living will in their medical record and those who did not.
The study's authors hope their findings may begin to change negative public opinion around legislative attempts to promote end-of-life discussions with critically ill patients. "We hope our study provides data to help inform the national debate about advance directives for key stakeholders; healthcare providers, policy makers, and patients and families," authors of the study wrote.
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