Knowledge and attitudes of medical staff in two health districts concerning living wills

• Published in: Atención primaria 2008-02, Vol.40 (2), p.61-66
• Main Authors: Simón-Lorda, Pablo, Tamayo-Velázquez, María Isabel, Vázquez-Vicente, Alejandro, Durán-Hoyos, Alberto, Pena-González, Jesús, Jiménez-Zurita, Pilar
• Format: Article
• Language: Spanish
• Subjects: Adult; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Living Wills; Male; Middle Aged; Practice Patterns, Physicians; Spain; Surveys and Questionnaires
• ISSN: 0212-6567
• DOI: 10.1157/13116148

To explore the knowledge and attitudes of physicians towards advance directives in 2 healthcare areas. To compare the outcomes of both areas. To compare the outcomes of primary healthcare and specialised healthcare. A cross sectional, descriptive study by means of a self-administered questionnaire. North-Málaga and North-Almería healthcare areas, Spain. Physicians of primary and specialised healthcare. Knowledge and attitudes towards advance directives. 194 (63.19%) questionnaires were filled out by the physicians from both healthcare districts. Mean age (standard deviation) 42.54 (80.85); 65.5% of participants were men and 33.5% were women; 51.55% from primary care and 48.45% from specialised healthcare. Polled physicians revealed a positive attitude towards the usefulness of advance directives for the patient's relatives and for healthcare professionals. They also show a positive attitude towards the use and respect of advance directives. They show a high predisposition to registry their advance directive, but a low predisposition to do so in a short term.