Effect of a supplement clarifying patients' intentions on doctors' willingness to follow the wishes of an agent with medical enduring power of attorney.
OBJECTIVE
Doctors have concerns about withholding medical treatment at the request of a legally appointed surrogate. We examined whether the addition of statements to a medical enduring power of attorney to clarify the intent of the person appointing the surrogate helped doctors accept the surrogate's treatment choice.


METHODS
Survey of all doctors employed in acute clinical medicine at Barwon Heath, Geelong, VIC.


RESULTS
94 of 436 doctors (22%) returned the survey. Of the 41 respondents who initially indicated they would decline the surrogate's request to reject life-sustaining treatment for a hypothetical patient, 22 (53%) accepted the surrogate's decision after reading the additional statements.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that additional statements clarifying the intent of the person appointing a surrogate would encourage doctors to comply with the surrogate's choice to decline life-prolonging treatment for that person.
Corke
Charlie
C
Barwon Health, Geelong, VIC. charliec@barwonhealth.org.au
Mann
Jill
J
D016223:Advance Directives / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003422:Critical Care; D003657:Decision Making / Q000941:ethics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D014739:Victoria