ADVANCE DIRECTIVES - A SOCIAL-WORK INITIATIVE TO INCREASE PARTICIPATION

This article compared data on 200 patients ata large urban hospital on a number of demographic variables to distinguish clients who initiate d an advance directive from those who declined. To better understand w hy some respondents refused, a telephone survey was conducted. As a re sult of the survey, an educational intervention was initiated in the w alk-in clinic area. A social work student provided information and ass isted with the completion of the forms. An ambulatory care setting was chosen assuming that, when patients are less ill, they may be better able to absorb the information on advance directives. As a result of t he educational intervention, 66% of the respondents approached initiat ed an advance directive. Those that declined were called 2 weeks later ; and 80% gave responses indicating they were making an informed decis ion. The findings clearly demonstrate that an educational intervention increases the percentage of individuals who initiate an advance direc tive.