Older people¿s preferences for prognostic information in a situation of serious illness with less than a year to live [Preferências de pessoas idosas pela informação prognóstica numa situação de doença grave, com menos de um ano de vida]

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2019

Authors

Jorge, R (Author) Other; teixeira, a (Author) FMUP; Calanzani, N (Author) Other; Nunes, R (Author) Other; Sousa, L (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Ciência & Saúde Coletiva

Vol. 24 No. 10

Pages: 4313-4324

ISSN: 1413-8123

Publisher: Associacao Brasileira de Pos-Graduacao em Saude Coletiva

Indexing

Scopus - 1 Citation

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00R-81X

DOI: 10.1590/1413-812320182411.02022018

Abstract (EN): This study aimed to determine the preferences of community-dwelling older people about information disclosure regarding poor prognosis, the likely symptoms and problems, and the care options available in a situation of serious illness with less than a year to live; and to identify factors associated with a preference for information disclosure regarding poor prognosis. The Brazilian version of the Preferences and Priorities for End of Life Care (PRISMA) questionnaire was administered face-to-face to 400 older people, living in the city of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The main results indicated that 74.0% preferred to be informed that they had limited time left, 89.3% wished to be informed about symptoms and problems, and 96.3% about available care options. The factors associated with preferences for information about poor prognosis were: gender (women: OR = 0.446, 95% CI: 0.269-0.738) and choosing the least preferred place to die (home of a relative or friend: OR = 2.423, 95% CI: 1.130-5.198. These results show that most older people want to be informed in an advanced illness situation with less than a year to live. Health care professionals need to be prepared to anticipate news about poor prognosis and the disease.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific