title: Opinions and use of advance directives by physicians at a tertiary care hospital.
abstract: The physician-patient relationship is an essential part of end-of-life planning, including discussions of advance directives (AD). Physicians likely to encounter AD issues with their patients were identified and queried as to their knowledge, opinion, and experience with ADs. Though most physicians felt ADs were helpful to both physicians and patients, considerably less were familiar with hospital policies and the different types of ADs. Formal education in the use and function of ADs also appears to be lacking, suggesting a need to improve the way in which ADs are addressed during medical training.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Lynn Sage Comprehensive Breast Center, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Langerman
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Angelos
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Johnston
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016223:Advance Directives; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology*; D008511:Medicine; D008875:Middle Aged; D016134:Organizational Policy; D013038:Specialization