Attitudes and Other Factors Influencing End-of-Life Discussion by Physicians, Nurses, and Care Staff: A Nationwide Survey in Japan

Abstract

Context: Better understanding about the attitudes of health-care providers toward end-of-life discussion would facilitate the development of systematic strategies for improving end-of-life care. Objective: To clarify attitudes toward end-of-life discussion with patients near death and explore the factors influencing these attitudes among physicians, nurses, and care staff. Methods: This study was part of a nationwide cross-sectional anonymous survey of the public attitudes toward end-of-life medical care performed in December 2017. The participants were physicians, nurses, and care staff from randomly selected facilities, including hospitals, clinics, home-visit nursing offices, nursing homes, and long-term care facilities throughout Japan. The questionnaire was sent to 4500 physicians, 6000 nurses, and 2000 care staff. We assessed attitudes about end-of-life discussion with patients near death, identification of the proxy decision maker, and sharing documented information on end-of-life discussion with the multidisciplinary team. Results: We analyzed responses from 1012 physicians, 1824 nurses, and 749 care staff. The number of responders who considered they had adequate end-of-life discussion with patients near death was 281 (27.8%), 324 (17.8%), and 139 (18.6%), respectively. Participation in a nationwide education program and caring for at least 1 dying patient per month were factors that showed a significant association with adequate end-of-life discussion and identification of the proxy decision maker. Conclusions: The percentages of physicians, nurses, and care staff involved in adequate end-of-life discussion with patients near death were not high. Participation in a structured education program might have a positive influence on end-of-life discussion with patients.