[Representative survey of german people concerning enlightenment and patient directive in a case of terminal illness].

The basic principles dealing with euthanasia (1998) as expressed by the German Association of Doctors states that in advance written directives are of "substantial help for the doctor in his or her actions". This requires, however, wide proliferation of patient directives. Hence it was important to ascertain the prevalence of such directives in the German population, as well as the relationship to the wish for enlightenment in terminal illness and diseases in their final stages. This was accomplished in December 1998 using 2050 people obtained with the Random-Route-Procedure (1024 from the new German states, 1013 from the old German states). The sample was obtained from the opinion research institute USUMA with ages ranging between 14 - 92. The main results from this representative survey represent an important record of the status quo with respect to opinion shaping of patient autonomy. 16 % of this survey expressed the wish not to be fully enlightened in the case of a terminal illness or they wished for a clarification to be given to the family only. This result shows that part of the population still holds on to their right of no knowledge. 59.1 % expressed the wish for a complete and immediate enlightenment. The other 24.9 % desired a careful step-by-step presentation of information. The high percentage of those who desired information and enlightenment is in contradiction to the small 2.5 % of patients who have actually written advance directives. These empirical results are consistent with the clinical experience of many doctors and represents the decision of the "representational" doctors for the current ethical regulation of patient directives as an ideal idea. Since 71.9 % of those surveyed had never before thought about this issue conclusions are drawn regarding patient consultations. Gender and East/West differences are also shown.