The Attitudes of Primary Caregivers of Critically Ill Elderly Patients on Do-Not-Resuscitate Status

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: A questionnaire for the primary caregivers of critically ill elderly patients on Do-Not-Resuscitate(DNR) status was developed. METHODS: The survey was administered to 132 primary caregivers of critically ill elderly patients in a veteran's hospital in Busan. RESULTS: The age range of the primary caregivers was 51-60 years. Of the primary caregivers, 58.3% of them were the patient's wife, 62.1% didn't have job, and 50.8% were not aware of the DNR status. Of the primary caregivers, 56.8% did not think about the patient's DNR, but if they heard about DNR from a physician, 68.9% of them could accept it. The most important reason for a DNR is pain relief of the dying patient. According to 72.7% of respondents, the patient should be asked about the DNR, but input from the family and physician should be included. Further, 68.2% of the respondents will consider a DNR for themselves in the future because they don't support meaningless life. The respondents were more inclined to think about DNR status, accept DNR status, and consider DNR status for themselves when they learned about the DNR from the physician and the patient is asked about the DNR. CONCLUSION: Primary caregivers are often required to think about DNR status. The findings of this study can be the basis for making objective standards concerning DNR status.