Public attitudes towards end-of-life treatment decisions: implications for nurse clinicians and nursing administrators.

Abstract

As medical technology becomes more sophisticated, end-of-life treatment decisions become more complex for patients and for the professionals who care for them. The authors surveyed 448 members of the general public to determine their attitudes regarding end-of-life treatment decisions and attitudes towards the provision of advance end-of-life directives. A slight minority of respondents indicated they would leave major decisions to their physicians. An overwhelming majority believe that living wills are important. Most respondents indicated they would not wish their lives to be prolonged if elderly and ill or if their minds failed. A majority of respondents also were in favour of donating their organs after death. The article reports the socio demographic variables which significantly influenced these responses and suggests the implications of these results for nurse clinicians and for nursing administrators. Enhancing clients' abilities to communicate their wishes and being sensitive to social-cultural differences in perspectives about these issues, are key implications for nurse clinicians. Ensuring sound policies and guidelines are developed and that adequate education is provided in ethical and legal dimensions surrounding end-of-life treatment directives, as well as multi-cultural orientation, are responsibilities for nursing administrators.