Ethical Investigation of the Living Will and the Comparison and Enlightenment of Chinese and Japanese Practical Experience / 中国医学伦理学

The revised revision of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone Medical Regulations passed in 2022 is an important institutional innovation in China, while many problems still need to be solved in the specific practice and application. This paper compared the practical development characteristics of the living will system between China and Japan, and analyzed the relationship between doctor-patients relationship under the intervention of the living will system and the symbolic representation mechanism of living will by using the semiotics theory. According to the links of "addresser-symbolic text" and "symbolic text-addressee", the six types of problems faced by current living will system in China were discussed, and the relevant experience and enlightenment were summarized to provided reference for the development of the living will system in China.

Learning Situation Analysis on "Living Will" and "Hospice Care" in Teaching Practice of Geriatrics / 中国医学伦理学

Objective: To investigate the cognitive status of "living will" and "hospice care" among geriatrics students with different identities, and to provide a basis for improving teaching in corresponding sections of geriatric medicine. Methods:An online questionnaire was used to collect data from 426 students participating in specific courses in geriatric medicine and compare their differences in understanding of different issues. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in the understanding of the concept of "living will" among students with different identities (χ2=5.84, P=0.054). In terms of the concept of "hospice care" , geriatricians and general practitioners had a better understanding than that of medical undergraduates (χ2=37.932, P<0.001). Compared to geriatricians and medical undergraduates, general practitioners had a lower level of autonomy in deciding whether to use life support treatment, and the difference was statistically significant (χ2=28.737, P<0.001). There was a statistically significant difference between general practitioners and medical undergraduates in the understanding of "signing living will" (χ2=12.75, P=0.01). Conclusion: The promotion of "living will" and "hospice care" in humanities courses of medical undergraduate and continuing medical education needs to be strengthened, and the popularization and publicity among the general public should be enhanced to lay the groundwork for improving the quality of hospice care.

Advance Directives Document: knowledge and experiences of healthcare professionals in Colombia / Documento Voluntades Anticipadas: conocimientos y experiencias de los profesionales de la salud en Colombia

Abstract Introduction: The Advanced Directives Document (ADD) is a bioethical quality benchmark for healthcare and assurance of compliance with the rights of autonomy, self-determination and dignity of the patient. This document was established over the past decade and currently there is no evidence about the attitudes and knowledge of the healthcare professionals with regards to the use of this tool in clinical practice in Colombia. Objective: To describe the knowledge and experiences of healthcare professionals members of six Colombian Scientific Societies regarding the right to sign an ADD and explore the barriers to its applicability in clinical daily practice. Methods: Descriptive, cross-sectional study conducted using an anonymous and voluntary e-survey with the participation of six Colombian Medical Societies. A questionnaire was designed comprising five groups of variables: general, ADD knowledge, medical experiences and personal experiences regarding advanced directives and potential obstacles to its implementation. Results: 533 professionals participated in the survey. 54 % (n = 286) expressed their lack of awareness about the fact that there is law governing the ADD in Colombia; 34.33 % (n = 183) said they were familiar with the requirements of the document. Over the last year, 24 % of the professionals received one or more ADDs from their patients. Only 11.7 % of healthcare practitioners had themselves completed an ADD. 77.1 % of the professionals surveyed believe that the number of individuals with an ADD has not changed after the approval and regulation of the right to an advanced directives document. 86.6 % of the practitioners said they respected the ADD, notwithstanding the fact that the patient could benefit otherwise. Conclusions: The overall perception of healthcare professionals with regards to the number of ADDs signed by patients is that the number has not changed after the approval of the Law in Colombia. This study evidenced that medical practitioners have a poor knowledge about the ADD and that there is a need to educate healthcare professionals about the ADD and to promptly implement institutional programs about Planning of Advanced Directives (PAD). Both strategies are challenging for the applicability of AD in Colombia.

Resumen Introducción: El Documento Voluntades Anticipadas (DVA) es un referente bioético de calidad de atención en salud y garantía de cumplimiento de los derechos de autonomía, autodeterminación y dignidad de los pacientes. Este documento fue reglamentado en la última década, y actualmente, no existe evidencia sobre las actitudes y conocimientos de los profesionales de la salud sobre el uso de esta herramienta en la práctica clínica en Colombia. Objetivo: Describir los conocimientos y experiencias de los profesionales de la salud pertenecientes a seis sociedades científicas colombianas frente al derecho de suscribir el DVA e investigar sobre las barreras para la aplicabilidad del DVA en la práctica clínica diaria. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo de corte transversal, realizado mediante encuesta electrónica anónima y voluntaria en seis sociedades médicas colombianas. Se diseñó un cuestionario compuesto por cinco grupos de variables: generales, conocimiento de DVA, experiencias médicas y experiencias personales sobre voluntad anticipada y posibles limitaciones para su aplicación. Resultados: Participaron 533 profesionales. El 54 % (n = 286) afirmó no saber que existe la ley que regula el DVA en Colombia; un 34,33 % (n = 183) manifestó conocer los requisitos que debe cumplir dicho documento. En el último año, el 24 % de los profesionales recibió de sus pacientes uno o más DVA. Solo el 11,7 % de los profesionales de salud tenía un DVA elaborado. El 77,1 % de los encuestados perciben que el número de personas con DVA sigue igual después de aprobado y reglamentado el derecho de DVA. El 86,6 % de los profesionales de salud aseguraron respetar el DVA, aunque el paciente pueda beneficiarse de lo contrario. Conclusiones: La percepción general de los profesionales de la salud sobre el número de DVA suscrito por los pacientes sigue igual después de reglamentada la Ley en Colombia. Este estudio permitió evidenciar que los profesionales de la salud poseen poco conocimiento sobre el DVA. Es indispensable capacitar a todos los profesionales de salud sobre el DVA y la pronta implementación institucional de programas sobre Planificación de Decisiones Anticipadas (PDA). Ambas estrategias constituyen un desafío para la aplicabilidad de las VA en Colombia.

Voluntades anticipadas como referente ético de conocimiento en los enfermeros que laboran en servicios de oncología / Advance Directives as an Ethical Reference of Knowledge in Nurses who Work in Oncology Services / Diretivas antecipadas de vontade como referencial ético de conhecimento em enfermeiros que atuam em servidos de oncología

Resumen: El propósito del presente artículo es identificar los conocimientos sobre la Voluntad Anticipada (VA) en enfermeros que laboran en servicios de oncología. Para ello, se utilizó como metodología un estudio observacional con intención analítica que midió el nivel de conocimiento a través de un cuestionario autodiligenciado. En él participaron 50 enfermeros, seleccionados por muestreo no probabilístico. Así, se analizaron las variables cualitativas con distribuciones de frecuencia, y las cuantitativas con estadística descriptiva y análisis bivariado. El nivel de conocimiento se categorizó así: 0 a 10 puntos (nivel bajo), 11 a 20 puntos (nivel medio), 21 a 30 puntos (nivel alto). Los resultados de la investigación arrojaron como dato que, para un grupo donde el 86 % eran mujeres, con promedio de edad de 37 años, el promedio de años de experiencia como enfermeros fue de 11.5 años. Por otra parte, el promedio de años de experiencia en el área de oncología fue de 6.2 años. De los que hacían parte de este último promedio, el 48 % tenían diplomado en oncología y el 46 % especialización. El 70 % de los participantes tenía un conocimiento medio, el 26 % un conocimiento alto, y el 4 %un nivel bajo. Cabe mencionar que solo el nivel de formación de postgrado se relacionó de manera significativa con el nivel de conocimientos. Como conclusión, se encontró que los profesionales en enfermería poseen un nivel de conocimiento medio sobre la legislación que aborda las voluntades anticipadas en Colombia y esto está relacionado con el nivel de formación.

Abstract: The purpose of this article is to identify the knowledge about the Advance Directive (AD) in nurses who work in oncology services. Consequently, an observational study with analytical intention was used as a methodology that measured the level of knowledge through a self-administered questionnaire. 50 nurses participated in it, selected by non-probabilistic sampling. Thus, qualitative variables were analyzed with frequency distributions, and quantitative variables with descriptive statistics and bivariate analysis. The level of knowledge was categorized as follows: 0 to 10 points (low level), 11 to 20 points (medium level), 21 to 30 points (high level). The results of the research showed that, for a group where 86% were women, with an average age of 37 years, the average number of years of experience as nurses was 11.5 years. On the other hand, the average number of years of experience in the oncology area was 6.2 years. Of those who were part of the latter average, 48% had a degree in oncology and 46% specialization. 70% of the participants had a medium knowledge, 26% a high knowledge, and 4% a low level. It is worth mentioning that only the level of postgraduate training was significantly related to the level of knowledge. In conclusion, it was found that nursing professionals have a medium level of knowledge about the legislation that addresses advance directives in Colombia and this is related to the level of training.

Resumo: O objetivo deste artigo é identificar o conhecimento sobre a Diretiva Antecipada (VAI) em enfermeiros que atuam em serviços de oncologia. Para isso, utilizou-se como metodologia um estudo observacional com intenção analítica que mediu o nível de conhecimento por meio de um questionário autoaplicável. Participaram 50 enfermeiros, selecionados por amostragem não probabilística. Assim, as variáveis qualitativas foram analisadas com distribuição de frequência e as variáveis quantitativas com estatística descritiva e análise bivariada. O nível de conhecimento foi categorizado da seguinte forma: 0 a 10 pontos (nível baixo), 11 a 20 pontos (nível médio), 21 a 30 pontos (nível alto). Os resultados da pesquisa mostraram que, para um grupo em que 86% eram mulheres, com média de idade de 37 anos, a média de anos de experiência como enfermeiros foi de 11,5 anos. Por outro lado, a média de anos de experiência na área de oncologia foi de 6,2 anos. Dos que faziam parte desta última média, 48% tinham graduação em oncologia e 46% especialização. 70% dos participantes tinham um conhecimento médio, 26% um conhecimento alto e 4% um nível baixo. Vale ressaltar que apenas o nível de formação de pós-graduação se relacionou significativamente com o nível de conhecimento.

Investigation on the current status of recognition and acceptance of living will in elderly inpatients in Shanxi Province / 中华老年医学杂志

Objective@#To analyze related factors for whether or not to make the living will by investigating the current status of recognition and acceptance of living will among elderly inpatients in Shanxi Province, in order to provide the evidence for promoting the living will in elderly hospitalized patients in Shanxi Province.@*Methods@#A questionnaire survey was conducted on elderly inpatients in Shanxi Province from January 2017 to December 2017, including general information(age, gender, ethnicity, religious belief, dwelling place, education and profession, children, spouse), awareness of living wills and willingness to sign documents of "My Five Wishes" . The chi-square test and Logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the related factors for elderly inpatients' willingness to sign living will documents@*Results@#The 411 elderly inpatients in Shanxi Province had a low level of cognition of living will(146 cases, 35.5%). In general socio-demographic characteristics, only education level and profession were related to the cognition of living will(χ2=12.093 and 11.906, P=0.001 and 0.008). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that as compared with inpatients aged 60-69 years, inpatients aged 70-79 years(OR=0.592, 95%CI: 0.360~0.974, P=0.039)and 80-89 years(OR=0.408, 95%CI: 0.238~0.701, P=0.001)held a significantly negative attitude towards signing the living will documents.According to dwelling place, as compared with countryside, urban elderly inpatients were more willing to sign living will documents in advance(OR=2.293, 95%CI: 1.335~3.940, P=0.003). At the comparison of other occupations with medical workers, teachers(P=0.429), civil servants(P=0.068), only medical workers(OR=3.156, 95%CI: 1.419-7.020, P=0.005)were more willing to sign living will documents in advance.As comparing elderly inpatients with children, the childless elderly inpatients were more willing to sign living will documents in advance(OR=3.156, 95%CI: 1.287~7.740, P=0.012).@*Conclusions@#Elderly inpatients in Shanxi Province have a low level of cognition of living will and a poor acceptance of signing the document of "my five wishes" in advance.In order to benefit the public, we need to increase the promotion and popularization of signing documents of living will in our province.

Investigation on the current status of recognition and acceptance of living will in elderly inpatients in Shanxi Province / 中华老年医学杂志

Objective To analyze related factors for whether or not to make the living will by investigating the current status of recognition and acceptance of living will among elderly inpatients in Shanxi Province,in order to provide the evidence for promoting the living will in elderly hospitalized patients in Shanxi Province.Methods A questionnaire survey was conducted on elderly inpatients in Shanxi Province from January 2017 to December 2017,including general information (age,gender,ethnicity,religious belief,dwelling place,education and profession,children,spouse),awareness of living wills and willingness to sign documents of"My Five Wishes".The chi-square test and Logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the related factors for elderly inpatients' willingness to sign living will documents Results The 411 elderly inpatients in Shanxi Province had a low level of cognition of living will(146 cases,35.5 ％).In general socio-demographic characteristics,only education level and profession were related to the cognition of living will(x2 =12.093 and 11.906,P =0.001 and 0.008).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that as compared with inpatients aged 60-69 years,inpatients aged 70-79 years (OR =0.592,95 ％ CI:0.360 ～ 0.974,P =0.039) and 80-89 years (OR =0.408,95％ CI:0.238 ～ 0.701,P =0.001) held a significantly negative attitude towards signing the living will documents.According to dwelling place,as compared with countryside,urban elderly inpatients were more willing to sign living will documents in advance(OR =2.293,95％CI:1.335～3.940,P =0.003).At the comparison of other occupations with medical workers,teachers (P=0.429),civil servants (P =0.068),only medical workers (OR =3.156,95 ％ CI:1.419-7.020,P=0.005)were more willing to sign living will documents in advance.As comparing elderly inpatients with children,the childless elderly inpatients were more willing to sign living will documents in advance(OR=3.156,95％CI:1.287～7.740,P=0.012).Conclusions Elderly inpatients in Shanxi Province have a low level of cognition of living will and a poor acceptance of signing the document of "my five wishes"in advance.In order to benefit the public,we need to increase the promotion and popularization of signing documents of living will in our province.

Voluntades anticipadas: desafíos éticos en el cuidado del paciente / Advance Directives: Ethical Challenges in Patient Care / Diretivas antecipadas de vontade: desafios éticos no cuidado do paciente

Resumen Las voluntades anticipadas en salud tienen como finalidad que la persona manifieste de manera anticipada su voluntad sobre los cuidados y el tratamiento de su salud, lo cual le permite expresar personalmente y de forma previa sus preferencias. Esta revisión de la literatura tiene por objetivo describir el concepto y la estructura de las voluntades anticipadas, así como los aspectos éticos involucrados durante el cuidado del paciente. Con las palabras clave "Advanced Health Care Directive" AND "Ethical Implication" y sus símiles en español (voluntades anticipadas, implicaciones éticas), se revisaron cinco bases de datos: ProQuest, Philosophy (JSTOR), PubMed, Web of Science y SciELO; las publicaciones se agruparon entre los años 2010 y 2018. Se obtuvieron 31 artículos de los cuales se realizó una lectura crítica. Los resultados de esta revisión fueron agrupados en las siguientes categorías: concepto, estructura, situaciones clínicas donde se aplican las voluntades anticipadas, fortalezas y limitaciones; así como los aspectos éticos involucrados. Actualmente, son más comunes las vivencias relacionadas con las situaciones al final de la vida, donde la persona pierde su capacidad de decidir y no puede manifestar sus deseos, por lo que es imposible conocer su voluntad. Gran parte de los profesionales de la salud no tienen capacitación adecuada sobre el desarrollo y la aplicación de las voluntades anticipadas, escenario que se convierte en una oportunidad para la investigación y profundización sobre el tema. Las voluntades anticipadas son una herramienta que proporciona al equipo de salud información fidedigna de los valores y deseos del paciente, por lo que es importante capacitar a estos profesionales para brindar una atención respetuosa y de calidad.

Abstract Advance healthcare directives are intended for the individual to personally express their will and preferences about healthcare and treatment ahead of time. This literature review aims to describe the concept and structure of advance directives and the ethical aspects involved in patient care. Using the keywords "Advance Healthcare Directive" AND "Ethical Implication" and its Spanish equivalents (voluntades anticipadas, implicaciones éticas), five databases were accessed: ProQuest, Philosophy (JSTOR), PubMed, Web of Science and Scielo. Publications were narrowed down to the 2010-2018 period. Thirty-one articles were obtained and read critically. Results of this review were grouped into the following categories: concept, structure, clinical situations in which advance directives apply, strengths and limitations, as well as the ethical aspects involved. End of life-related experiences in which a person loses their ability to make decisions and cannot express their wishes, so it is impossible to know their will, are more common nowadays. Most health workers are not appropriately trained in the preparation and application of advance directives, which becomes an opportunity to research and delve deeper into the subject. Advance directives are a tool that gives health workers reliable information on a patient's values and wishes, so it is vital to train them to provide respectful quality care.

Resumo As diretivas antecipadas de vontade na saúde têm como finalidade que o paciente manifeste, de maneira antecipada, sua vontade e preferências sobre os cuidados e o tratamento de sua saúde. Esta revisão da literatura tem como objetivo descrever o conceito e a estrutura das diretivas antecipadas de vontade, bem como os aspectos éticos envolvidos durante o cuidado do paciente. Com as palavras-chave "advanced health care directive" AND "ethical implication" e seus equivalentes em espanhol ("voluntades anticipadas", "implicaciones éticas"), foram revisadas cinco bases de dados: ProQuest, Philosophy (JSTOR), PubMed, Web of Science e SciELO; as publicações são de 2010 a 2018. Foram obtidos 31 artigos, dos quais foi realizada uma leitura crítica. Os resultados desta revisão foram agrupados nas seguintes categorias: conceito, estrutura, situações clínicas em que são aplicadas as diretivas antecipadas de vontade, fortalezas, limitações, bem como aspectos éticos envolvidos. Atualmente, são mais comuns as vivências relacionadas com as situações no final da vida, em que a pessoa perde sua capacidade de decidir e não pode manifestar seus desejos, portanto é impossível conhecer sua vontade. Grande parte dos profissionais da saúde não tem capacitação adequada sobre o desenvolvimento e a aplicação das diretivas antecipadas de vontade, o que se torna uma oportunidade para pesquisar e aprofundar sobre o tema. As diretivas antecipadas de vontade são uma ferramenta que proporciona, à equipe de saúde, informação fidedigna dos valores e desejos do paciente, por isso é importante capacitar os profissionais para oferecer uma atenção respeitosa e de qualidade.

Approaches and reflexions on advance healthcare directives in Brazil / Enfoques y reflexiones sobre las directivas anticipadas en Brasil / Abordagens e reflexões sobre diretivas antecipadas da vontade no Brasil

ABSTRACT Objective: to explain the approaches and discussions about the Advance Healthcare Directives spread among health professionals, lawyers and society. Method: bibliographic search in the databases SciELO, LILACS, BDENF, in Portuguese, carried out from December 2017 to January 2018. Results: 22 articles were considered for analysis with interviews and testimonies of physicians, intensivists and geriatricians, nurses, technicians and Nursing auxiliaries, Medical students, lawyers and Law students. Conclusion: there is a small number of papers on the Advance Healthcare Directives in Brazil, and a wide range of approaches that have not yet been clarified. The theme is not widely spread and little clarified in its essence.

RESUMEN Objetivo: explicitar los enfoques y discusiones sobre las Directivas Anticipadas difundidas entre los profesionales de la salud, los abogados y la sociedad. Método: investigación bibliográfica realizada en las bases de datos SciELO, LILACS, BDENF, en portugués, del diciembre 2017 hasta enero 2018. Resultados: se consideraron 22 artículos para el análisis con entrevistas y testimonios médicos, intensivistas y geriatras, enfermeros, técnicos y auxiliares de Enfermería, estudiantes de Medicina, de Derecho y abogados. Conclusión: hay un pequeño número de trabajos sobre las Directivas Anticipadas en Brasil, y una amplia gama de enfoques poco elucidados. El tema sigue siendo poco difundido y poco esclarecido en su esencia.

RESUMO Objetivo: explicitar as abordagens e discussões sobre as Diretivas Antecipadas da Vontade difundidas entre os profissionais de saúde, advogados e a sociedade. Método: pesquisa bibliográfica nas bases de dados SciELO, LILACS, BDENF, em Língua Portuguesa, realizada no período de dezembro de 2017 a janeiro de 2018. Resultados: foram considerados 22 artigos para análise com entrevistas e depoimentos de médicos, intensivistas e geriatras, enfermeiros, técnicos e auxiliares de Enfermagem, estudantes de Medicina, de Direito e advogados. Conclusão: há um pequeno número de trabalhos sobre as Diretivas Antecipadas da Vontade no Brasil, e uma ampla gama de abordagens ainda pouco elucidadas. O tema ainda é pouco difundido e pouco esclarecido em sua essência.

A Review of Advance Care Planning in Research and Clinical Settings

Objective: To review the current advance care planning (ACP) in research and clinical settings globally, and identify immediate needs in Japan. Methods: We searched reviews in MEDLINE and original articles in ICHUSHI published up to July 2019, using the Medical Subject Heading (MeSH) thesaurus term ACP; we specifically searched for papers in English or Japanese. Results: We selected 849 reviews from MEDLINE. The majority were published in the United States, and approximately 50 in the United Kingdom. We selected 2,264 articles from ICHUSHI, although 186 were original and there were few reviews. Clearly, there are far fewer ACP publications in Japan than in the US. In Japan, a common concept of ACP is not defined among researchers, medical providers, and the government for Japanese culture and social background. Furthermore, there are limited interventional ACP studies among community-dwelling people, regardless of their use of medical or long-term care services, and despite the Japanese government’s efforts to encourage ACP use. Conclusion: The concept of ACP in the Japanese culture should be identified immediately, and it is essential to provide evidence of the effectiveness of ACP among community-dwelling people. In particular, further ACP studies are needed among people provided with different kinds of home care to help support their satisfaction of end-of-life care, which is a part of community integrated care.

"Death with Dignity" or "Painful Alive":Analysis of the Ethical Dilemma and Countermeasures of China' s Living Will / 中国医学伦理学

This paper summarized the current ethical dilemmas of living will in our country including life ethical dilemmas, medical ethical dilemmas and family ethical dilemmas, and then proposed several suggestions for the promotion of living will in China:strengthening the theoretical research on related contents of living will, increasing the intensity of death education, carrying out related activities in the communities, strengthening the policy support and establishing hospital or regional pilots, to provide the feasible problems for the advancement of our country's living will.

Integrative Review of Advance Care Planning Research in Japan

Purpose: To review the current state and discuss future direction of research related to advance care planning (ACP) in Japan. Methods: We have conducted literature search in the Ichushi, CINAHL, and Medline database between January 2011 and November 2017 using Advance Care Planning (ACP) as a keyword. Extracted research articles were further selected using the definition of ACP by Sudore et al., and reviewed using integrative review approach. Results: Majority of selected 39 articles was descriptive studies exploring general knowledge and interests about ACP and end-of-life decision making. Although the number of studies examining prevalence or strategies to implement ACP gradually increased in later years during the search period, detail information about the definition of ACP and strategies were lacking and generalizability of the studies were limited. Conclusion: ACP research in Japan is in the burgeoning phase. Clear definition of ACP in Japanese context that will guide the research and robust and scalable research examining strategies to implement ACP is urgently needed.

Diretivas antecipadas: uma análise documental no contexto mundial / Directivas anticipadas: un análisis documental en contexto global / Advance directives: a documentary analysis in the global context

RESUMO Objetivo: conhecer as legislações referentes ao testamento vital em diferentes países, estabelecendo um paralelo com a instituída no Brasil. Método: realizou-se análise documental de legislações governamentais nacionais e estrangeiras, adotando a análise de conteúdo de Bardin nos materiais localizados até 2013. Resultados: aproximadamente quinze países possuem legislações regulamentadoras do testamento vital, enquanto que, no Brasil, há apenas uma resolução do Conselho Federal de Medicina. As diretivas antecipadas da vontade ou o testamento vital, nomenclatura adotada no Brasil, atua na preservação da autonomia do paciente. Conclusão: conhecer as legislações em diferentes países contribui no sentido de subsidiar discussões e avanços legais, no Brasil, para que os profissionais da saúde, que atuam com pacientes, possam considerar os desejos dos assistidos.

RESUMEN Objetivo: conocer las leyes relativas a los testamentos vitales en diferentes países, estableciendo un paralelismo con lo establecido en Brasil. Metodo: se realizá análisis documental de las leyes gubernamentales nacionales y extranjeras, adoptando el análisis de contenido de Bardin en los materiales localizados até 2013. Resultados: aproximadamente quince países tienen leyes reguladoras del testamento en vida, mientras que en Brasil sólo hay una resolución del Consejo Federal de Medicina. Las directivas anticipadas serán o testamento vital, nomenclatura adoptada en Brasil, opera en la preservación de la autonomía del paciente. Conclusión: conozca las leyes de los distintos países contribuye, para apoyar los debates y desarrollos legales en Brasil, por lo que los profesionales de la salud que trabajan con los pacientes, pueden considerar los deseos de los beneficiarios.

ABSTRACT Objective: to know the laws regarding living wills in different countries, establishing a parallel with established in Brazil. Method: there was documentary analysis of domestic and foreign governmental laws, adopting the content analysis of Bardin in the material identified until 2013. Results: approximately fifteen countries have regulatory laws of the living will, whereas in Brazil there is only one resolution of the Federal Council of Medicine. Advance directives will or living will, nomenclature adopted in Brazil, operates in the preservation of patient autonomy. Conclusion: know the laws in different countries contributes, to support discussions and legal developments in Brazil, so that health professionals who work with patients, may consider the wishes of the beneficiaries.

A aplicação das diretivas antecipadas de vontade na pessoa com demência / The application of advance directives and living will in persons with dementia

O crescente envelhecimento mundial é acompanhado pelo aumento da expectativa de vida, especialmente nas pessoas de idade mais avançada, expandindo o número de idosos com doenças cronicodegenerativas, dentre as quais se destaca a demência, notadamente a Doença de Alzheimer. Essas pessoas, que demandam tratamentos e cuidados especializados, apresentam-se como um desafio à prática médica, pela multidimensionalidade de questões implicadas na sua saúde, ressaltando-se a perda da capacidade cognitiva, com dano irreversível à autonomia, um princípio pilar da Bioética. Nesse cenário, realizamos este estudo, com o objetivo de, no desenvolvimento das buscas teóricas, proceder a uma investigação reflexiva sobre a perda de autonomia da pessoa com demência, considerando as Diretivas Antecipadas de Vontade ­ um instrumento de proteção e garantia da preservação quando já se encontrar incapacitada de expressar a sua vontade. O caminho metodológico é o da pesquisa qualitativa em saúde, centrado na investigação reflexiva, promovendo um diálogo entre fatos biomédicos e referenciais bioéticos. A revisão de literatura foi realizada em livros e em periódicos indexados dos últimos dez anos nas bases de dados do PubMed e LILACS. Discutimos a pertinência das Diretivas Antecipadas de Vontade como instrumento que representa um êxito da civilização atual ao priorizar a autonomia do indivíduo e lhe assegurar o exercício pleno da cidadania. Esse instrumento, se aplicado a idosos saudáveis, antecipa-se à possível instalação de dano cognitivo posterior, apontado pelos dados demográficos e epidemiológicos. No curso evolutivo da demência, mesmo na fase inicial, não é confiável o registro da legítima vontade da pessoa sobre o que quer ou não para si em termos de tratamento e cuidado. Finalizando o estudo, propomos uma articulação da Geriatria com a Bioética, em que profissionais qualificados possam orientar pessoas idosas e seus familiares a procederem a uma reflexão profunda sobre saúde e doença, autonomia e incapacidade, para assumirem a liberdade de fazerem valer a sua vontade num futuro incerto em que talvez não mais possam fazer essa escolha para si mesmo.

The growth in world ageing is associated with an increase in life expectancy particularly in persons of more advanced ages, which expands the number of older persons with chronic-degenerative diseases, Alzheimer's disease in particular. Such individuals require specialized treatment and care. They challenge medical practice because they present multidimensional health conditions, notably cognitive impairment, which irreversibly compromises their autonomy, one of the pillars of Bioethics. In this context, this study was conducted so that, in proceeding with the search of theories, we could reflect on the loss of autonomy of the person with dementia, considering Advance Directives as an instrument provinding protection and assurance that the person's wishes will be complied with in the future. The methodology chosen was qualitative health research centered in a reflexive investigation, promoting a dialogue between biomedical facts and bioethical frameworks. For the review of literature, we examined to books and journals posted on PubMed and LILACS databases over the past 10 years. We have discussed the pertinence of Advance Directives as a successful construct of our civilization for prioritizing the autonomy of the individual and ensuring the full exercise of their rights as citizens. This instrument should be created by health older individuals prior to the development of cognitive impairment that may occur in keeping with demographic and epidemiological data. In the progressive course of dementia, even in its early stages, the recording of the person's wishes about what they want or not for themselves in terms of treatment and care is not reliable. In the conclusion of our study, we propose that Geriatrics and Bioethics be connected, so that qualified practitioners could guide older people and their family in an in-depth reflection about health and disease, autonomy and impairment, so that they can make their wishes count in an uncertain future, when they may no longer be able to make this choice themselves.

Research progression of advance care planning under the background of aging of population in China / 中国实用护理杂志

Considering the fact of rapidity and concentration of aging of population, Chinese government has regarded it as an important strategic issue. However, how to get a dignified ending still a big problem for the old age today. This article tries to explore the possibility of advance care planning (ACP) approved under the background of aging of population in China based on general report of Chinese government deal with aging of population and existed facts. Though the researches on this topic have grown rapidly, the government legal system is still close to it in this moment, and in the process of practice constantly, it will be a perfect research. It is certain that the legislation of ACP in China will has a long way to go, but in the view of the advancement of death with dignity, palliative care, we still can predict a bright future of ACP.

Aspectos bioético-jurídicos de las instrucciones previas o testamento vital en el contexto normativo español / Bioethical and legal issues of advance directives or living wills in the context of Spain / Aspectos bioético-jurídicos das instruções prévias ou testamento vital no contexto normativo espanhol

La discrepancia que genera la institución de las instrucciones previas se aprecia en distintos niveles -ético, jurídico social-, y alcanza incluso al ámbito terminológico, esto es, los términos empleados para referirse a esta institución no son en absoluto pacíficos o unívocos: desde testamentos vitales, voluntades o directivas anticipadas, deseos expresados anteriormente, etc., lo que lleva a cierta confusión sobre si se trata o no de la misma figura y a cierta inseguridad jurídica, ámbito por cierto sumamente prolijo en este sentido. No obstante la abundante legislación y doctrina sobre el particular, existe poca información acerca de la forma de registrar el documento, la posibilidad de consultarlo o los límites para su cumplimiento. Este artículo trata de ofrecer mayor luz al respecto, en el seno de la normativa española.

The discrepancy generated by advanced directives is observed in several levels -ethical, legal and social-, and reaches even the terminological field, that is, the terms employed to refer to the issue are not distinct or indifferent at all: from living will to advanced directives to wishes previously expressed, etc., which confers some confusion about whether it refers to the same issue or to some legal insecurity, field otherwise very complex in this sense. In spite of the abundant legislation and doctrine about the issue, there is little information about the way to register the document, the possibility to consult it and the limits about its fulfillment. This article tries to offer more understanding of the issue considering the norms of Spain.

A discrepância que gera a instituição das instruções prévias é apreciada em distintos níveis -ético, jurídico social-, e alcança inclusive o âmbito terminológico, isto é, os termos empregados para se referir a esta instituição não são em absoluto pacíficos ou unívocos: desde testamentos vitais, vontades ou diretivas antecipadas, desejos expressados anteriormente, etc., o que leva a certa confusão sobre se se trata ou não da mesma figura e a certa insegurança jurídica, âmbito por certo sumamente prolixo neste sentido. Não obstante a abundante legislação e doutrina sobre o particular, existe pouca informação acerca da forma de registrar o documento, a possibilidade de consultá-lo ou os limites para seu cumprimento. Este artigo trata de oferecer maior luz a respeito, no seio da normativa espanhola.

Diretivas antecipadas de vontade aos doentes terminais: revisão integrativa / Directivas previas a los pacientes terminales: revisión integradora / Anticipated directives and living will for terminal patients: an integrative review

RESUMOObjetivo:caracterizar a produção científica nacional e internacional sobre as diretivas antecipadas de vontade aplicadas ao doente terminal.Método:a revisão integrativa, incluindo os artigos publicados no Portal Capes, SCIELO, LILACS, MEDLINE, Revista de Bioética e Bioethikos, a partir dos descritores: Diretivas antecipadas, Testamentos quanto à vida, Advance Directives, Living Will e Terminally Ill totalizando 44 artigos submetidos à análise de conteúdo.Resultados:emergiram três categorias: Estudantes e profi ssionais frente às diretivas antecipadas de vontade: percepções, opiniões e condutas; Receptividade dos pacientes às diretivas antecipadas de vontade; A família diante das diretivas antecipadas de vontade.Conclusão:evidenciou-se a relevância do tema como garantidor do respeito à dignidade e à autonomia do doente, bem como para a redução dos conflitos éticos enfrentados pelos familiares e profi ssionais da saúde frente aos cuidados em fi nal de vida.

RESUMENObjetivo:caracterizar la literatura científica nacional e internacional acerca de las directivas anticipadas de voluntad aplicadas a los enfermos terminales.Método:la revisión integradora fue el método utilizado, teniendo en cuenta los artículos publicados en el Portal Capes, SciELO, LILACS, MEDLINE, Revista de Bioética y Bioethikos, con los descriptores: Directivas anticipadas, Testamentos en cuanto a la vida y Advance Directives, Living Will e Terminally Ill con 44 artículos sometidos al análisis de contenido.Resultados:surgieron tres categorías: Estudiantes y profesionales frente a las directivas anticipadas de voluntad: percepciones, opiniones y conductas; La receptividad de los pacientes a las directivas anticipadas de voluntad; La familia frente a las directivas anticipadas de voluntad.Conclusion:és evidente la importancia del tema como garantia del respeto de la dignidad y la autonomía del paciente, así como para reducir los conflictos éticos que enfrentan las familias y los profesionales de salud frente a la atención al fi nal de la vida.

ABSTRACTObjective:characterizing the national and international scientifi c literature about the advanced directives of living will as applied to the terminally ill patient.Method:integrative review considering the articles published in Portal Capes, SciELO, LILACS, MEDLINE, Journal of Bioethics and Bioethikos, with the descriptors: Advanced directives, Wills regarding life and Advance Directives, Living Will and Terminally Ill, totaling 44 articles submitted to content analysis.Results:three categories emerged: Students and professionals facing the advance directives of living will: Perceptions, opinions and practices; Patient’s receptivity to the Advance Directives of Living Will; The family facing the advance directives of living will.Conclusion:the relevance of the topic became evident as a guarantee of respect for the dignity and autonomy of the patient, as well as to reduce ethical confl icts faced by families and health professionals facing care at the end of life.

Issues of Advance Medical Directive / 中国医学伦理学

Advance medical directive is a statement made by a patient ,which indicates patient′s acceptable or unacceptable treatments , when he or she is not competent to make a medical decision .There are two types of ad-vance directive , which are living will and durable power of attorney for healthcare .The paper will briefly introduce advance directive′s history and analyse its controversies throughout the world .In China , most people don′t own an advance directive .When these patients are faced with medical emergency , their desires can not be known by their relatives, and not to mention let their relatives respect their desires .Cultural barrier and the lack of regulation and propaganda on advance directive are the main reasons cause the current situation of advance directive in china . Based on the analyses above , the paper offers a suggestion that it is necessary to widely promote advance directive in China .During the process of promoting advance directive , should pay attention to guide and respect traditional culture .

Bioética e processos de religiosidade entre os pacientes com doenças terminais no Brasil / Bioethics and religious processes among terminally ill patients in Brazil

Os avanços tecnocientíficos das últimas décadas contribuíram para o aumento do número de pacientes com doenças terminais no mundo. Em decorrência da milenar conexão entre a fase de terminalidade de vida e os processos espiritualistas, esse fato assumiu aspectos peculiares no Brasil, país em que o número de segmentos religiosos/espiritualistas multiplicou-se nas últimas décadas. Este trabalho procura mostrar que a diversificação das necessidades de pacientes brasileiros com referência ao bemestar espiritual na fase final da vida pode gerar dilemas bioéticos novos para o profissional da saúde que não conheça os fundamentos das principais correntes espiritualistas do país. Defendendo que tal conhecimento é ferramenta útil para o profissional da saúde que quer observar os princípios da beneficência e do respeito à autonomia do paciente, o texto disponibiliza algumas orientações básicas das principais linhas espiritualistas brasileiras sobre os processos da morte e do morrer...

The techno scientific advances in the last decades have contributed to increase the number of terminally ill patients in the world. Given the millenary connection between life's terminal phase and spiritualist processes, this fact has gained peculiar shades in Brazil, a country where the number of religious/spiritualist-oriented segments has also multiplied in the last decades. This study seeks to demonstrate that the diversification of Brazilian terminally ill patients' needs regarding the spiritual wellbeing may bring about new bioethical dilemmas for health professionals who are not familiar with the tenets of the current main spiritualist followings in Brazil. Supporting the fact that this knowledge is an important tool for health professionals who seek to observe the principles of beneficence and patient's autonomy, this paper provides some basic orientations of the main Brazilian spiritualist tenets about the processes of death and dying...

Los avances tecnocientíficos de las últimas décadas contribuyeron para aumentar la cantidad de pacientes con enfermedades terminales en el mundo. Por consecuencia de la milenaria conexión entre la fase de terminación de la vida y los procesos espiritualistas, este hecho adquirió aspectos peculiares en Brasil, país en que el número de segmentos religiosos/espiritualistas se multiplicó los últimos años. El presente trabajo busca mostrar que la diversificación de las necesidades de pacientes brasileños en relación al bienestar espiritual en la fase final de la vida puede generar nuevos dilemas bioéticos al profesional de salud que ignore los fundamentos de las principales corrientes espiritualistas del país. Defendiendo que este conocimiento se constituya en herramienta útil para el profesional de sanidad que desee observar los principios de beneficencia y respeto a la autonomía del paciente, el texto dispone las orientaciones básicas de las principales líneas espiritualistas brasileñas sobre los procesos de muerte y de morir...

Testamento vita:: conocer y comprender su sentido y significado / Living will: know and understand its meaning and significance / Tesamento vital:: conhecer e compreender seu sentido e significado

La vida nos enfrenta a cada uno con la realidad de la muerte propia y ajena. La gran cuestión que permea sobre la fase final de la vida es la actitud que se adopta; vida y muerte varían su significado de una cultura a otra y, muy particularmente, por las creencias de las que se vive. Esta publicación pretende contribuir a resolver dudas acerca de cuándo y cómo hacer un documento de voluntades anticipadas, popularmente testamento vital, dado que por ahora, no es una práctica socialmente extendida y no llega al 3/1000 las personas que reuniendo los requisitos para otorgarlo se han decidido a hacerlo. Y a la vez, este artículo ayuda a recordar aspectos como la dignidad, la libertad y la confianza que en la etapa final de la vida recobran más trascendencia. El documento de voluntades anticipadas, no exento de polémica, permite a cualquier persona capaz, dejar constancia de los cuidados sobre su salud o tratamientos médicos que desearía recibir si, llegado el momento, fuera incapaz para tomar decisiones o no pudiera expresarlos por sí misma. Correctamente utilizado puede ser un instrumento eficaz de las relaciones clínicas.

Life presents each of us with the reality of our own death and the death of others. The big question that hovers over the end stage of life is the attitude adopted by each one: life and death, its meaning varies from one culture to another and, particularly, by the beliefs according to which we live. This publication intends to contribute to the resolution of doubts as to when and how to draw up an advance directive, popularly known as a living will, as, for now, this is not a socially widespread practice and it does not arrive to 3/1,000 individuals that meet the requirements to grant it if they have decided to do so. And at the same time, this article helps to remember aspects such as dignity, freedom and confidence which, in the end stage of life, attain an ever greater significance. This document of advance directives, which is not without controversy, allows any and all capable individuals to leave evidence of the health care or medical treatments he/she would like to receive if, when the time has come, he/she were unable to make decisions or were unable to express them him/ herself. Properly used, it can be an effective instrument for clinical relationships.

A vida enfrenta a cada um com a realidade da morte própria e alheia. A grande questão que permeia a fase final da vida é a atitude que se adota; vida e morte variam seu significado de uma cultura a outra e, muito particularmente, pelas crenças com as quais se vive. Esta publicação pretende contribuir para resolver dúvidas sobre quando e como fazer um documento de vontades antecipadas, popularmente testamento vital, tendo em vista que, por enquanto, não é uma prática socialmente difundida e não chega a 3/1.000 pessoas que, reunindo os requisitos para outorgá-lo, decidiram fazê-lo. Ao mesmo tempo, este artigo ajuda a lembrar aspectos como a dignidade, a liberdade e a confiança que, na etapa final da vida, ganham mais transcendência. O documento de vontades antecipadas, não isento de polêmicas, permite a qualquer pessoa capaz deixar constância dos cuidados sobre sua saúde ou tratamentos médicos que desejaria receber se, chegado o momento, fosse incapaz de tomar decisões ou não pudesse expressá-las por si mesma. Corretamente utilizado, pode ser um instrumento eficaz nas relações clínicas.

Diretivas antecipadas de vontade do paciente: uma breve introdução ao tema / Advanced directives by the patient: a brief introduction to the theme

O presente artigo tem como objetivo introduzir o tema das diretivas antecipadas de vontade do paciente, proposto na Resolução nº 1995/2012, do Conselho Federal de Medicina, analisando algumas das questões jurídicas pertinentes, bem como apresentar sugestões para sua implementação no cotidiano da prática clínica.

This article aims to introduce the topic of advance directives by the patient, proposed in Resolution No. 1995/2012 of the Conselho Federal de Medicina, analyzing some of the relevant legal issues and make suggestions for their use in everyday clinical practice.