title: Uncovering beliefs and barriers: staff attitudes related to advance directives.
abstract: Although the 1990 Patient Self-determination Act was enacted to insure that patients' wishes regarding advance directives were known and respected, it has had little impact in quality or aggressiveness of care for patients nearing death. The purpose of this descriptive study was to explore staff attitudes related to Advance Directives. A short survey was distributed to 650 hospital, home care, hospice, assisted living, and long term professional and staff members. Analysis was completed on 413 surveys (return rate 63.3%). Findings suggest that although staff members believe that Advance Directives are an important tool, they have found both logistical and process challenges to following them. The results provide needed information for improving processes for completion and utilization of Advance Directives.
authors.affiliation: Alegent Health Home Care and Community Based Programs, Omaha, Nebraska 68106, USA. bbergman@alegent.org
authors.forename: Brenda
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bergman-Evans
authors.forename: Leslie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kuhnel
authors.forename: Denise
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: McNitt
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Myers
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D032722:Advance Care Planning / Q000458:organization & administration; D024362:Advance Directive Adherence / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003142:Communication; D003657:Decision Making; D034462:Dissent and Disputes; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015146:Midwestern United States; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D011379:Prognosis; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D017749:Total Quality Management / Q000458:organization & administration