Table 4.
Questions that give insight into the decision-making process for patients treated in nursing homes with nursing home doctors on staff, versus in nursing homes with general practitioners (GPs) in 20% positions
| Patients treated in nursing homes with full- or part time physicians n = 125 | Patients treated in nursing homes with GPs n = 68 | P-value | |
|---|---|---|---|
| The patient’s capacity to consent was assessed | 112 (92%) | 60 (91%) | NS |
| The treatment was discussed with the patient before commencement | 82 (67%) | 31 (47%) | < 0.05 |
| The treatment was discussed with the next of kin before commencement | 54 (44%) | 41 (62%) | < 0.05 |
| Was the treatment discussed with health personnel who knew the patient? | 109 (89%) | 60 (91%) | NS |
| Advance care planning done in the pasta | 67 (55%) | 30 (46%) | NS |
| Doubt about whether intravenous treatment was the right course of action for this patient | 27 (22%) | 20 (30%) | NS |
aFull question: Have there previously been carried out conversations with the patient or next of kin regarding the patient’s wishes and values relating to life-prolonging treatment and what to do if the patient suddenly gets much worse?