|
KMID : 1138720210470010047
|
|
Korean Public Health Research
2021 Volume.47 No. 1 p.47 ~ p.57
|
|
|
Factors affecting intention to complete advance directives in older Koreans
|
|
Park Nam-Ju
Hong Seong-Ae
Song In-Myung
|
|
|
Abstract
|
|
|
Objectives: In 2016, Korea introduced a law to recognize advance directives (ADs) and to allow patients to determine whether they want life-sustaining care. This study aims to investigate the factors affecting intention to complete ADs among community-dwelling older adults in Korea.
Methods: Using a structured questionnaire, we surveyed 250 people aged 65 years and older visiting Community Welfare Centers in two cities (Cheonan, Onyang) in Chungnam Province, Korea between September 23 and October 5, 2018. A total of 237 completed questionnaires were used for analyses. A stepwise linear regression analysis was conducted by entering the variables that were statistically significant in univariate and correlation analyses. The dependent variable was intention to complete an AD. Independent variables included attitudes towards ADs, perceived good death, knowledge about life-sustaining care, and general characteristics.
Results: The mean score for all respondents’ intention to complete an AD was 2.33 out of 3. The mean knowledge about life-sustaining care was 1.71 out of 3; knowledge about the Life-Sustaining Care Act was scored the lowest at 1.60 of all sub-variables. The most powerful factor influencing intention to complete an AD was knowledge about life-sustaining care (β=0.298, p<0.001), followed by having no children (β=-0.203, p<0.01), and having not talked about death (β=-0.180, p<0.01).
Significance of Results: As knowledge about life-sustaining care is the strongest factor influencing intention to complete an AD, we recommend the development and implementation of education programs on ADs customized for the elderly population to raise awareness about ADs.
|
|
|
KEYWORD
|
|
|
Advance directive, end-of-life, good death, life-sustaining care, palliative care
|
|
|
FullTexts / Linksout information
|
|
|
|
|
|
Listed journal information
|
|
|
|