Factors influencing hospital patients' preferences in the utilization of life-sustaining treatments.
Ninety-seven elderly hospitalized patients were asked about their preferences for several treatments under three hypothetical levels of future cognitive functioning: intact, confused, and unconscious. Levels of cognitive functioning and depression were also assessed. Sixty-six percent of the patients were more likely to want treatment if they expected to be cognitively intact than when a future condition involved impaired cognition; 36% did not want any treatment in at least 75% of the conditions; and 16% wanted treatment in at least 75% of the conditions studied. A minority (12%) did not show any pattern in their preferences. The absence of a definite pattern was related to lower levels of education and to higher levels of depressive symptoms. Patients self-reported their preferences for treatments being influenced most by their personal values, religion, and by experiences with illnesses of others.
Cohen-Mansfield
J
J
Center on Aging, Georgetown University, School of Medicine, Washington, DC 20009.
Droge
J A
JA
Billig
N
N
D000368:Aged / Q000523:psychology*; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001290:Attitude; D003071:Cognition; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008020:Life Support Care / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012151:Resuscitation; D012945:Social Values; D026712:Value of Life; D028761:Withholding Treatment