Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38740593›Full record

Observational studyMedizinische Klinik, Intensivmedizin und Notfallmedizin2025

[Frequency and barriers to the patient advanced directive and lasting power of attorney: findings from a prospective observation study in palliative care services].

Benedict Mathias Breen, Claudia Flohr, Heike Wendt, Katharina Chalk, Ulrike Haase, Christiane Hartog, Sascha Tafelski

Abstract readObservational StudyEnglish Abstract
In one paragraph

Observational study in Medizinische Klinik, Intensivmedizin und Notfallmedizin, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Benedict Mathias Breen
Claudia FlohrZentrales Pflegecenter (ZPC), Palliativkonsildienst, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Gliedkörperschaft der Freien Universität Berlin, der Humboldt Universität zu Berlin und dem Berlin Institute of Health, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Deutschland.
Heike WendtKlinik für Anästhesiologie und Intensivmedizin, Campus Charité Mitte und Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member der Freien Universität Berlin und Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Deutschland.
Katharina ChalkKlinik für Anästhesiologie und Intensivmedizin, Campus Charité Mitte und Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member der Freien Universität Berlin und Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Deutschland.
Ulrike HaaseZentrum für Schmerzmedizin, Ostseestraße 107, 10409, Berlin, Deutschland.
Christiane HartogKlinik für Anästhesiologie und Intensivmedizin, Campus Charité Mitte und Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member der Freien Universität Berlin und Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Deutschland.
Sascha TafelskiKlinik für Anästhesiologie und Intensivmedizin, Campus Charité Mitte und Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member der Freien Universität Berlin und Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Deutschland. sascha.tafelski@charite.de.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5623-8400

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe advance directive and lasting power of attorney are instruments to strengthen patients' autonomy. A hospital-based palliative care consultation service can advise patients and family members about these instruments. This study investigates the need for such consultation among patients with life-limiting illness.

methodsThis prospective observational study on intensive and non-intensive care units includes patients with a request for palliative care consultation. Patient-related factors were evaluated for their possible association with the presence or absence of advance directives or power of attorney. In addition, focus group interviews with members of the palliative care consultation team were carried out to identify barriers which prevent patients from drawing up such documents.

resultsA total of 241 oncological and 53 non-oncological patients were included with a median age of 67 years; 69 (23%) patients were treated in the intensive care unit (ICU). Overall, 98 (33%) patients had advance directives, and 133 (45%) had determined a legal health care proxy in advance. A total of 52 patients died in hospital (17.7%). Only age and relationship status were associated with directives. In interviews, the following barriers were identified: information deficit, concern regarding discontinuation of treatment, loss of autonomy and wish to avoid a burden for the family.

conclusionThe majority in this severely ill patient population lack advance directives. In order to remove barriers, more effective information and counseling is required about such directives. In particular, guidance should include potential clinical situations in which such directives are potentially beneficial.

Indexed as

Advance DirectivesPalliative CareAgedAged, 80 and overFemaleGermanyHumansIntensive Care UnitsMaleMiddle AgedPersonal AutonomyProspective StudiesReferral and ConsultationAdvance directiveHealth care proxyPalliative carPatient autonomyPower of attorney

Identifiers

PMID38740593
PMCPMC11961539

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.