Table 2.

Criteria for assessing completed ReSPECT forms and associated patient records.

Criterion	Definition	Assessed sections of the completed ReSPECT forms and patient records
Consistency	Whether clinicians completed the form, including treatment recommendations, to the level of detail requested on the ReSPECT form and associated guidelines,18 across patient records.	All sections
Transparency	The extent to which information was provided about diagnosis, patients’ wishes and preferences, reasons for recommendations, and who took part in the discussion.	Section 2: summary of relevant information
		Section 4: clinical recommendations for emergency care and treatment
		Section 6: involvement in the plan
		Relevant sections of patient notes
Ethical justifiability	(1) Whether the reasons given for the recommendations explicitly took into account the patient’s current clinical condition and ability to benefit from future interventions, as well as the patient’s wishes and preferences (either directly sought from patients with capacity or indirectly through discussion with a legal proxy, family or friends). (2) Whether, in taking these factors into account, the clinician completing the form had documented the weighing of potential burdens and benefits of treatments for this particular patient.	Section 2: summary of relevant information
		Section 3: personal preferences to guide this plan
		Section 4: clinical recommendations for emergency care and treatment
		Section 5: capacity and representation at time of completion
		Section 6: involvement in the plan
		Relevant sections of patient notes