[Knowledge and attitudes of medical staff in two health districts concerning living wills].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the knowledge and attitudes of physicians towards advance directives in 2 healthcare areas. To compare the outcomes of both areas. To compare the outcomes of primary healthcare and specialised healthcare.


METHODS
A cross sectional, descriptive study by means of a self-administered questionnaire.


METHODS
North-Málaga and North-Almería healthcare areas, Spain.


METHODS
Physicians of primary and specialised healthcare.


RESULTS
Knowledge and attitudes towards advance directives. 194 (63.19%) questionnaires were filled out by the physicians from both healthcare districts. Mean age (standard deviation) 42.54 (80.85); 65.5% of participants were men and 33.5% were women; 51.55% from primary care and 48.45% from specialised healthcare.


CONCLUSIONS
Polled physicians revealed a positive attitude towards the usefulness of advance directives for the patient's relatives and for healthcare professionals. They also show a positive attitude towards the use and respect of advance directives. They show a high predisposition to registry their advance directive, but a low predisposition to do so in a short term.
Simón-Lorda
Pablo
P
Andalusia Public Health School (EASP), Granada, Spain. pablo.simon.easp@juntadeandalucia.es
Tamayo-Velázquez
María Isabel
MI
Vázquez-Vicente
Alejandro
A
Durán-Hoyos
Alberto
A
Pena-González
Jesús
J
Jiménez-Zurita
Pilar
P
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D016224:Living Wills; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D013030:Spain; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires