Providing information about advance directives to patients in ambulatory care and their families.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To devise a teaching pamphlet on advance directives.

DATA SOURCES

Published articles, professional publications, books.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Content was designed to educate, increase awareness of the topic, and encourage dialogue among caregivers, patients, and families prior to the onset of a health crisis. The tool is written at a fifth-grade reading level.

CONCLUSIONS

The booklet can achieve its goals. Dissemination strategies still are under discussion.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE

Helping patients and their families explore end-of-life decisions is vital to providing comprehensive care for patients with cancer. Tools such as this can facilitate that process.