title: Do Spanish Hospital Professionals Educate Their Patients About Advance Directives? : A Descriptive Study in a University Hospital in Madrid, Spain.
abstract: It is unknown whether hospital-based medical professionals in Spain educate patients about advance directives (ADs). The objective of this research was to determine the frequency of hospital-based physicians' and nurses' engagement in AD discussions in the hospital and which patient populations merit such efforts. A short question-and-answer-based survey of physicians and nurses taking care of inpatients was conducted at a university hospital in Madrid, Spain. In total, 283 surveys were collected from medical professionals, of whom 71 per cent were female, with an average age of thirty-four years. Eighty-four per cent had never educated patients about ADs because of lack of perceived responsibility, time, or general knowledge of ADs. Patient populations that warranted AD discussions included those with terminal illnesses (77 per cent), chronic diseases (61 per cent), and elderly patients (43 per cent). Regarding degree of AD understanding in medical professionals: 57 per cent of medical professionals claimed sufficient general knowledge of ADs, 19 per cent understood particulars regarding AD document creation, and 16 per cent were aware of AD regulatory policies. Engagement in AD discussions was considered important by 83 per cent of medical professionals, with 79 per cent interested in participating in such discussions themselves. The majority of hospital physicians and nurses do not educate their patients about ADs, despite acknowledging their importance. Patient populations of highest priority included those with terminal diseases or chronic illness or who are of advanced age.
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine Unit, University Hospital Alcorcon Foundation (UHAF), Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: María
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pérez
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine Unit, University Hospital Alcorcon Foundation, Budapest St, 28.922, Alcorcon, Madrid, Spain. benjaminherreros@gmail.com.|Francisco Vallés Clinical Ethics Institute, European University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain. benjaminherreros@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Benjamín
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Herreros
authors.affiliation: Francisco Vallés Clinical Ethics Institute, European University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.|Preventive Medicine Unit, Rey Juan Carlos Hospital, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: M Dolores
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Martín
authors.affiliation: Francisco Vallés Clinical Ethics Institute, European University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.|Research Unit, UHAF, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Molina
authors.affiliation: Francisco Vallés Clinical Ethics Institute, European University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Jack
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kanouzi
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine Unit, University Hospital Alcorcon Foundation (UHAF), Madrid, Spain.|Research Unit, UHAF, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: María
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Velasco
mesh_terms: D016223:Advance Directives / Q000941:ethics*; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D016330:Frail Elderly; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations / Q000941:ethics*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000941:ethics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010819:Physician's Role; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations / Q000941:ethics*; D013030:Spain; D019452:Terminally Ill
keywords: Advance directives; Anticipated directives; Living will