Factors Related to Advance Care Planning Intention Among Older Patients with Solid Tumor
Keywords:
Advance care planning, older adults, solid tumorAbstract
Advance care planning (ACP) is a critical component of care for older adults with solid tumors. However, the majority of individuals in this group have not engaged in ACP, resulting in the receipt of unnecessary and non-beneficial medical treatments. This study aimed to examine the level of intention to engage in advance care planning and the factors associated with it. A descriptive correlational study design was employed, and a purposive sampling method was used to recruit 84 participants who met specified inclusion criteria. Data were collected using five instruments: (1) a demographic questionnaire, (2) an ACP intention questionnaire, (3) a death attitude questionnaire, (4) a social support scale, and (5) an ACP knowledge questionnaire. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics, point-biserial correlation, and Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient. The results indicated that the overall intention to engage in ACP was high. There was a statistically significant low positive correlation between education level and ACP intention (rpb =.220, p < .05). Additionally, moderate positive correlations were found between ACP intention and both attitudes toward death and social support (rs =.364 and .538, respectively, p <.01). In contrast, gender, age, religion, and ACP knowledge were not significantly correlated with the intention to engage in advance care planning.
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