Table 1.
Baseline Participant Characteristics for Categorical Variables (N = 36)
| Variable | Patients (n = 18), n (%) | Caregivers (n = 18), n (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Gender | ||
| Male | 7 (38.89) | 5 (27.78) |
| Female | 11 (61.11) | 13 (72.22) |
| Marital status | ||
| Married | 10 (55.56) | 12 (66.67) |
| Divorced | 3 (16.67) | 5 (27.78) |
| Widowed | 4 (22.22) | 1 (5.56) |
| Single/never married | 1 (5.56) | 0 (0.00) |
| Nature of relationship | ||
| Spousal | 9 (50.00) | — |
| Parent–child | 4 (22.22) | — |
| Close friends | 3 (16.67) | — |
| Nonspousal family members | 2 (11.11) | — |
| Racea | ||
| White | 18 (100.00) | 16 (100.00) |
| Ethnicitya | ||
| Hispanic/Latino | 0 (0.00) | 1 (6.25) |
| Non-Hispanic/Latino | 17 (100.00) | 15 (93.75) |
| Religion | ||
| Protestant | 6 (33.33) | 3 (16.67) |
| Latter day saint | 10 (55.56) | 9 (50.00) |
| Catholic | 1 (5.56) | 2 (11.11) |
| No religion | 1 (5.56) | 4 (22.22) |
| Level of spirituality | ||
| Highly religious/spiritual | 8 (44.44) | 10 (55.56) |
| Somewhat religious/spiritual | 8 (44.44) | 5 (27.78) |
| Not very religious/spiritual | 0 (0.00) | 2 (11.11) |
| Not at all religious/spiritual | 2 (11.11) | 1 (5.56) |
| Educational level | ||
| High school/GED | 6 (33.33) | 6 (33.33) |
| Some college or more | 5 (27.78) | 7 (38.89) |
| Associate's degree or more | 5 (27.78) | 2 (11.11) |
| Bachelor's degree or more | 2 (11.11) | 1 (5.56) |
| Advanced degree | 0 (0.00) | 2 (11.11) |
| Incomea | ||
| <$25,000 | 6 (40.00) | 6 (33.33) |
| $25,000–<$50,000 | 6 (40.00) | 7 (38.89) |
| $50,000–<$75,000 | 2 (13.33) | 2 (11.11) |
| ≥$75,000 | 1 (6.67) | 3 (16.67) |
| Knowing anyone with terminal illness or coma in past five years | ||
| Yes | 10 (55.56) | 13 (72.22) |
| No | 8 (44.44) | 5 (27.78) |
| Cognitive functioning (SPMSQ) | ||
| 0 errors | 9 (50.00) | 12 (66.67) |
| 1 error | 6 (33.33) | 5 (27.78) |
| 2 errors | 3 (16.67) | 1 (5.56) |
| Self-reported previous ED visit in past 12 months | ||
| 0 visits | 5 (27.78) | — |
| 1–2 visits | 4 (50.00) | — |
| ≥3 visits | 9 (22.22) | — |
| Self-reported previous inpatient stays in the past 12 months | ||
| 0 inpatient stays | 3 (16.67) | — |
| 1–2 inpatient stays | 15 (83.33) | — |
| Patient diagnoses | ||
| Neoplasms | 2 (11.11) | — |
| Blood and immune disorders | 1 (5.55) | — |
| Endocrine, nutritional, and metabolic diseases | 8 (44.44) | — |
| Mental, behavioral, and neurodevelopmental disorders | 2 (11.11) | — |
| Diseases of the nervous system | 6 (33.33) | — |
| Diseases of the circulatory system | 7 (38.89) | — |
| Diseases of the respiratory system | 5 (27.78) | — |
| Diseases of the digestive system | 3 (16.67) | — |
| Diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue | 2 (11.11) | — |
| Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue | 10 (55.56) | — |
| Diseases of the genitourinary system | 4 (22.22) | — |
| Patients' functional limitations | ||
| Bathing | 6 (33.33) | — |
| Transfers | 7 (38.89) | — |
| Ambulation | 16 (88.89) | — |
| Dressing or grooming | 8 (44.44) | — |
| Toileting | 6 (33.33) | — |
| Self-recall patients' previous ACP | ||
| Previous AD, HCP, POLST, or DNR | 14 (77.78) | 13 (72.22) |
| No AD, HCP, POLST, or DNR | 4 (22.22) | 5 (27.78) |
| Control preferences for ACP | ||
| Patient takes more active role | 11 (61.11) | 9 (50.00) |
| Patient–study partner collaborative roles | 6 (33.33) | 8 (44.44) |
| Study partner takes more active role | 1 (5.56) | 1 (5.56) |
a
Indicates missing values.
ACP, advance care planning; AD, advance directives; DNR, do-not-resuscitate order; ED, emergency department; GED, general educational development; HCP, health care proxy; POLST, provider order for life-sustaining treatment; SPMSQ, Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire.