A mixed methods investigation of end-of-life surrogate decisions among older adults.

ABSTRACT:

Background

A large number of end-of-life decisions are made by a next-of-kin for a patient who has lost their decision-making capacity. This has given rise to investigations into how surrogates make these decisions. The experimental perspective has focused on examining how the decisions we make for others differ from our own, whereas the qualitative perspective has explored surrogate insights into making these decisions.

Methods

We conducted a mixed methods study to bring these two perspectives together. This is crucial to comparing decision outcomes to the decision process. We asked older adult partners to make end-of-life decisions for each other. They then took part in a semi-structured interview about their decision process. Transcripts were analysed using thematic analy

SUBMITTER: Batteux E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7119279 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature