PURPOSE: We examined the extent to which the substituted judgments made by spouses of patients with end-stage renal disease actually reflect patient preferences. DESIGN AND METHODS: We used data from 291 couples to compare dialysis patients' preferences for continuing hemodialysis under a variety of hypothetical situations with both substituted judgment data from spouses and information about spouses' own preferences. RESULTS: Substituted judgments were more highly related to spouses' preferences than to patients' preferences. IMPLICATIONS: Findings raise questions about the extent to which the moral principle of patient autonomy should guide decision making at the end of life.
PURPOSE: We examined the extent to which the substituted judgments made by spouses of patients with end-stage renal disease actually reflect patient preferences. DESIGN AND METHODS: We used data from 291 couples to compare dialysis patients' preferences for continuing hemodialysis under a variety of hypothetical situations with both substituted judgment data from spouses and information about spouses' own preferences. RESULTS: Substituted judgments were more highly related to spouses' preferences than to patients' preferences. IMPLICATIONS: Findings raise questions about the extent to which the moral principle of patient autonomy should guide decision making at the end of life.
Authors: Rashmi K Sharma; Mark T Hughes; Marie T Nolan; Carrie Tudor; Joan Kub; Peter B Terry; Daniel P Sulmasy Journal: J Gen Intern Med Date: 2011-04-16 Impact factor: 5.128
Authors: Mi-Kyung Song; Sandra E Ward; Mary Beth Happ; Beth Piraino; Heidi S Donovan; Anne-Marie Shields; Mary C Connolly Journal: Res Nurs Health Date: 2009-06 Impact factor: 2.228