A National Study of Life-Sustaining Treatments in South Korea: What Factors Affect Decision-Making?

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

This cross-sectional study investigated the status of life-sustaining treatment (LST) practices and identified characteristics and factors influencing decision-making practices.

Materials and methods

The National Agency for Management of Life-sustaining Treatment retains records provided by doctors regarding patients subject to LST implementation. A total of 71,327 patients receiving LST were identified. We analyzed all nationally reported data between February 2018 and October 2019. Indicators such as the proportion of deaths, records for decision to terminate LST, implementation of LST records, and registration of Advance Statements on LST were analyzed.

Results

A total of 67,252 (94.3%) end-of life decisions were implemented in South Korea. The proportion o

SUBMITTER: Park SY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8053857 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature