Older Korean people's desire to participate in health care decision making.
The purpose of this study was to identify how older Korean people seek information and their desire to participate in decision making about their health care. A total of 165 elderly people living in Seoul, South Korea, participated in the study. Data were collected during individual interviews using the Autonomy Preference Index. The mean information-seeking score was high. The mean score for their desire to participate with a physician in decision making was lower, but this was higher when family members were involved. The study indicates that many older people want to receive information about their health care. Families (or guardians), as well as older people themselves, should be included in the decision-making process. Nurses can encourage older people to express their wishes, while treating each individual with respect.
Chang
Soo Jung
SJ
Dept. of Clinical Nursing Science, College of Nursing, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea. icandoitt@lycos.co.kr
Lee
Kyung Ja
KJ
Kim
In Sook
IS
Lee
Won Hee
WH
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D044466:Asian People / Q000523:psychology*; D003657:Decision Making / Q000941:ethics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007723:Korea; D008297:Male; D010358:Patient Participation; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000208:ethnology*; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations / Q000941:ethics*