Previous instructions in Emergency, Intensive Care and Oncology: analysis of the attitude and knowledge of the healthcare professionals

Abstract

Introduction: The document of Previous Instructions (IP), is available to patients to decide the future of their care, respecting the right to their autonomy. The objective was to analyze and describe the knowledge and attitudes of health professionals in relation to the IP.

Methodology: Observational, descriptive and transversal study. The instrument used was a self-administered ad hoc questionnaire, distributed among physicians and nurses from the Oncology, Emergency and Intensive Care Units of the University Assistance Complex of León.

Results: The sample size was 144 participants. 90.45% of the respondents knew that they were IP although only 37.92% knew the current legislation. They went up how to act in front of these patients, but they were not able to report because they thought they were not well trained. Thus, they requested to receive more training in this subject. On the other hand, 60% of them would subscribe to an IP document, although the majority believed that these are not respected, especially in the emergency services and UCI.

Conclusions: Most of the professionals knew that they were the IP, however, they did not know the current legislation nor were they able to report on it. As a result, professionals requested more training in this regard.