Abstract
Objetivo
Conocer la actitud de pacientes ambulatorios acerca del documento de voluntades anticipadas (DVA)
Diseño
Estudio descriptivo transversal mediante cuestionario diseñado específicamente
Emplazamiento
Centro de salud urbano de Palma de Mallorca
Participantes
Un total de 132 usuarios de una consulta de atención primaria en Palma de Mallorca, atendidos entre el 21 de junio y el 15 de julio de 2002. Criterios de exclusión: < 40 años de edad, primera visita, importante afección física o psíquica durante la visita y neoplasia avanzada
Mediciones Principales
Los pacientes recibieron información escrita sobre el DVA junto con el cuestionario autoadministrado que constaba de cinco preguntas cerradas y comentario libre
Resultados
Se recibieron 107 cuestionarios (81%). El 57,6% de quienes contestaron fueron mujeres. La mediana de edad fue de 55 (40–87) años. El 97% consideró interesante el DVA. El 39,3% aseguró que formalizaría un DVA y otro 39,3% lo creía posible. En caso de hacerlo, el 88,8% desearía hablarlo con familiares y el 73,8%, con el médico de familia. El 32,1% ya había hablado «claramente» con sus familiares sobre los cuidados finales y el 31,1%, «por encima». El 36,8% negó haberlo hablado. Al 86% no le resultó «nada incómodo» leer el documento. Treinta y ocho participantes escribieron comentarios sobre muerte digna, libertad para decidir, interés del DVA, importancia de estar informados y eutanasia
Conclusiones
Los participantes están claramente a favor del DVA, y se observa una amplia intención de formalizarlo; además, desean tratar el tema con sus familiares y médicos de familia, y pensar en ello no les incomoda. La legalización reciente del DVA puede ayudar a pacientes y médicos a hablar abiertamente sobre los cuidados al final de la vida
Palabras clave: Voluntades anticipadas, Instrucciones previas, Testamento vital, Atención primaria, Actitud de los pacientes
Abstract
Objective
To find the attitude of health centre patients to the Document of Wishes stated in Advance (DWA)
Design
Descriptive cross-sectional study using a specially designed questionnaire
Setting
Urban health centre in Palma de Mallorca
Participants
132 users of a primary care clinic in Palma de Mallorca, seen between 21/6/2002 and 15/7/2002. Criteria for exclusion: <40 years old, first visit, major physical or psychological disease at time of visit and advanced neoplasia
Main Measurements
Patients received written information on the DWA along with the selfadministered questionnaire that consisted of five closed questions and free comment
Results
107 questionnaires were received back (81%). 57.6% were women; and mean age was 55 (40–87). 97% thought the DWA was interesting. 39.3% said they would formalise a DWA and a further 39.3% thought it possible they would. If they did so, 88.8% wanted to discuss it with family members and 73.8% with their family doctor. 32.1% had already talked «clearly» with their family members about terminal care, and 31.1% had talked «in general terms». 36.8% said they had not talked about it. 86% found it «not at all uncomfortable» to read the document. 38 respondents wrote comments about a dignified death, freedom to decide, the relevance of the DWA, the importance of being informed and euthanasia
Conclusions
Participants were clearly in favour of the DWA and many fully intended to formalise it. They wanted to discuss the question with family members and their doctors. Thinking about it did not make them uncomfortable. The recent legalisation of the DWA may help patients and doctors to talk openly about care at the end of life
Keywords: Advance wishes, Prior instructions, Living will, Primary care, Patients’ approach
Trabajo realizado como parte del Máster de Bioética y Derecho, edición 2000–2002. Universidad de Barcelona. España
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