title: Patient perceptions on the use of advance directives and life prolonging technology.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Use of advance directives is underutilized despite the Patient Self Determination Act of 1990. This study was undertaken to determine use and opinions of advance directives by patients at a multidisciplinary.
  
  
  METHODS
  Institutional Review Board-approved prospective survey of patients age 18 and over.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 306 participants, 77 (25.2%) had a durable power of attorney and 45 (14.7%) had living wills. Of these, 226 (73.9%) responded that it was important to make health care wishes known to their doctor. Only 36 (15.9%) had done so. A total of 266 (86.9%) felt it was important to discuss health care wishes with their family and only 160 (60.1%) had done so.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  While adequately describing use and attitudes toward advance directives, it is significant to note that patients believe their wishes for end-of-life care will be honored; however, they fail to take the necessary steps to guarantee this.
authors.affiliation: Department of Research, Synergy Medical Education Alliance, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, Saginaw, Michigan 48602, USA. jclements@synergymedical.org
authors.forename: John M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Clements
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D024362:Advance Directive Adherence / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016223:Advance Directives / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000367:Age Factors; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003142:Communication; D003657:Decision Making; D004522:Educational Status; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D008020:Life Support Care / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008824:Michigan; D008875:Middle Aged; D028701:Patient Rights / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D012067:Religion; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000523:psychology*