Discrepancies in end-of-life decisions between elderly patients and their named surrogates

ABSTRACT

<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>This study aims to determine the attitudes of Asian elderly patients towards invasive life support measures, the degree of patient-surrogate concordance in end-of-life decision making, the extent to which patients desire autonomy over end-of-life medical decisions, the reasons behind patients' and surrogates' decisions, and the main factors influencing patients' and surrogates' decision-making processes. We hypothesize that there is significant patient-surrogate discordance in end-of-life decision making in our community.</p><p><b>MATERIALS AND METHODS</b>The patient and surrogate were presented with a hypothetical scenario in which the patient experienced gradual functional decline in the community before being admitted for life-threatening pneumonia. It was explained that the outcome was likely to be poor even with intensive care and each patient-surrogate pair was subsequently interviewed separately on their opinions of extraordinary life support using a standardised questionnaire. Both parties were blinded to each other's replies.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In total, 30 patients and their surrogate decision-makers were interviewed. Twenty-eight (93.3%) patients and 20 (66.7%) surrogates rejected intensive care. Patient-surrogate concurrence was found in 20 pairs (66.7%). Twenty-four (80.0%) patients desired autonomy over their decision. The patients' and surrogates' top reasons for rejecting intensive treatment were treatment-related discomfort, poor prognosis and financial cost. Surrogates' top reasons for selecting intensive treatment were the hope of recovery, the need to complete final tasks and the sanctity of life.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The majority of patients desire autonomy over critical care issues. Relying on the surrogates' decisions to initiate treatment may result in treatment against patients' wishes in up to one-third of critically ill elderly patients.</p>