Discussing patient preferences for levels of life-sustaining treatment: development and pilot testing of a Danish POLST form.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Medically frail and/or chronically ill patients are often admitted to Danish hospitals without documentation of patient preferences. This may lead to inappropriate care. Modelled on the American Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) form, the purpose of the study was to develop and pilot test a Danish POLST form to ensure that patients' preferences for levels of life-sustaining treatment are known and documented.

Methods

The study was a mixed methods study. In the initial phase, a Danish POLST form was developed on the basis of literature and recommendations from the National POLST organisation in the US. A pilot test of the Danish POLST form was conducted in hospital wards, general practitioners' clinics, and nursing homes. Patients were eligible

SUBMITTER: Tuesen LD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8749111 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature