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.
Related Articles on Healthcare Reform:
Small Business Group, 26 States Ask Supreme Court to Hear Challenge Against Health Reform
25% of Hospital Execs “Not Familiar” With ACO Regulations
President Obama’s Debt Reduction Proposal Includes $320B in Healthcare Savings
