title: Stability of preferences for treatment among nursing home residents.
abstract: This study assessed the stability of nursing home residents' preferences for medical treatments. Thirty-seven nondemented, nondepressed residents were surveyed serially over a six-month period. Preferences were elicited for CPR, i.v. antibiotics, mechanical ventilation, and artificial nutrition. Subjects preferred more treatment for their current health concerns than for all hypothetical conditions (p = .001). Subjects disvalued indefinite artificial nutrition and mechanical ventilation compared to time-limited trials (p < .001). All preference changes were toward less intervention; residents preferred limited treatment. Most preferences remained stable. Residents clearly distinguished between time-limited and indefinite treatment, desired i.v. antibiotics and limited mechanical ventilation, and rejected most other treatments.
authors.affiliation: Winthrop-University Hospital, Mineola, New York 11501, USA. jberger@ccmail.sunysb.edu
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Berger
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Majerovitz
mesh_terms: D016223:Advance Directives; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008020:Life Support Care / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009518:New York; D009735:Nursing Homes