Korean J Adult Nurs.  2015 Aug;27(4):449-458. 10.7475/kjan.2015.27.4.449.

Factors Influencing Attitude toward Advance Directives of Older Cancer Patients

• Lee MH
• Park YH

• KMID: 2421530
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7475/kjan.2015.27.4.449

Abstract

PURPOSE
The aims of this study were to identify the reported attitudes of older patients with cancer toward advance directives (ADs) and the factors associated with their attitudes toward ADs.
METHODS
The design was a cross-sectional survey. The age mean of the 130 participants were 70.8, and 66.2% of the participants were male. The data were collected at one university hospital in Seoul, South Korea during the period from October 1st to December 5th in 2013. The data collecting instruments were the Advance Directives Attitude Survey (ADAS) and questionnaires including socio-demographic and disease-related characteristics, family function.
RESULTS
30.0% of the participants were aware of ADs, only 9% of them had been informed by healthcare providers. Most participants (93.1%) intended to complete ADs. The mean score of ADAS was 48.29. The stepwise linear regression analysis indicated that family function, perceived health status, period of education, and age accounted for a significant percentage (52.0%, p<.001) of the variance in participants' ADAS. The variable with the greatest effect was family function.
CONCLUSION
The findings suggest that family function and attitude of older cancer patients need to be considered for adapting ADs to Korean health care systems. Healthcare providers should include family members in advanced care planning discussions.

MeSH Terms

Advance Care Planning
Advance Directives*
Cross-Sectional Studies
Delivery of Health Care
Education
Family Characteristics
Health Personnel
Humans
Korea
Linear Models
Male
Seoul