HONORING PATIENT CARE PREFERENCES: SURROGATES SPEAK

    Authors

    J. W. Buckey;O. Molina

    Comments

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    Abbreviated Journal Title

    Omega-J. Death Dying

    Keywords

    FAMILY DECISION-MAKING; LONG-TERM-CARE; LIFE-SUPPORT; CRITICALLY-ILL; SOCIAL-WORK; SUBSTITUTED JUDGMENT; MEDICAL-CARE; END; WITHDRAWAL; HEALTH; Psychology, Multidisciplinary; Social Sciences, Biomedical

    Abstract

    A growing body of evidence has pointed to the stressful experience surrounding surrogate decision-making on behalf of incapacitated patients. This study (N = 59) asked surrogates to speak about their experiences immediately after having made a life-sustaining treatment decision. Grounded theory analysis revealed four themes: (1) the emotional impact of the decision-making process on the surrogate; (2) the difficulty of watching a loved one's health deteriorate; (3) the importance of having a Living Will (LW) or other written/verbal instructions; and (4) the reliance on spirituality as a means of coping with the surrogate experience. Findings of this study suggest that engaging surrogates at the time of patient admission may be essential in order to clarify patient preferences and strengthen communication between surrogates and the interdisciplinary healthcare team.

    Journal Title

    Omega-Journal of Death and Dying

    Volume

    65

    Issue/Number

    4

    Publication Date

    1-1-2012

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    257

    Last Page

    280

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000309905800002

    ISSN

    0030-2228

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