Department of Community Mental Health, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel.
J Soc Work End Life Palliat Care. 2020 Jul-Sep;16(3):250-265. doi: 10.1080/15524256.2020.1745729. Epub 2020 Apr 6.
Family caregivers of people with dementia often must make crucial medical decisions for them that may increase the burden of care experienced. Although undertaking Advance Care Planning (ACP) might reduce their decision-making burden, completion rates remain very low. The present study aimed to explore the common beliefs of family caregivers of people with dementia about undertaking ACP for themselves. A qualitative study was conducted, using a semi-structured questionnaire based on the Theory of Planned Behavior. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with a convenience sample of 20 family caregivers of people with dementia in Israel. The behavioral beliefs expressed by the participants referred to the dual benefits of ACP, for the person who will not be able to make medical decisions at the end of life and for themselves. Participants mentioned that family members and friends were the main persons with whom they would consult in making decisions regarding ACP. Personal characteristics and instrumental factors were mentioned as enablers and barriers to undertaking ACP. Findings from the study provide an important basis for expanding research and for developing interventions that can encourage undertaking ACP.
痴呆症患者的家庭照顾者通常必须为他们做出重要的医疗决策，这可能会增加他们的照顾负担。尽管进行预先医疗指示（ACP）可能会减轻他们的决策负担，但完成率仍然非常低。本研究旨在探讨痴呆症患者家庭照顾者对自己进行 ACP 的常见信念。本研究采用基于计划行为理论的半结构化问卷进行定性研究。在以色列，对 20 名痴呆症患者的家庭照顾者进行了方便样本的面对面访谈。参与者表达的行为信念涉及 ACP 的双重好处，既适用于在生命末期无法做出医疗决策的人，也适用于他们自己。参与者提到，在做出与 ACP 相关的决策时，他们主要会与家庭成员和朋友协商。个人特征和工具因素被提及为进行 ACP 的促进因素和障碍。本研究的结果为扩大研究和制定干预措施提供了重要基础，这些干预措施可以鼓励进行 ACP。
