Default options in advance directives: study protocol for a randomised clinical trial.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Although most seriously ill Americans wish to avoid burdensome and aggressive care at the end of life, such care is often provided unless patients or family members specifically request otherwise. Advance directives (ADs) were created to provide opportunities to set limits on aggressive care near life's end. This study tests the hypothesis that redesigning ADs such that comfort-oriented care is provided as the default, rather than requiring patients to actively choose it, will promote better patient-centred outcomes.

Methods and analysis

This multicentre trial randomises seriously ill adults to receive 1 of 3 different ADs: (1) a traditional AD that requires patients to actively choose their goals of care or preferences for specific interventions (eg, feeding tu

SUBMITTER: Gabler NB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4908890 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature