Hematologists’ perspective on advance directives, a French national cross-sectional survey – the ADORE-H study

Abstract Background The onset of hematological malignancies can lead to acute and critical situations. It can also result in adverse outcome despite the significant advancements made in their therapeutic management. In this context, advance care planning and, in particular, advance directives (AD) p...

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Main Authors: K. Serey, A. Cambriel, Adrien Pollina-Bachellerie, Jacques-Olivier Bay, Carole Bouleuc, Laure Ladrat, Jean-Pierre Lotz, Francois Philippart
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2024-11-01
Series:BMC Medical Ethics
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12910-024-01146-5
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author K. Serey
A. Cambriel
Adrien Pollina-Bachellerie
Jacques-Olivier Bay
Carole Bouleuc
Laure Ladrat
Jean-Pierre Lotz
Francois Philippart
author_facet K. Serey
A. Cambriel
Adrien Pollina-Bachellerie
Jacques-Olivier Bay
Carole Bouleuc
Laure Ladrat
Jean-Pierre Lotz
Francois Philippart
author_sort K. Serey
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background The onset of hematological malignancies can lead to acute and critical situations. It can also result in adverse outcome despite the significant advancements made in their therapeutic management. In this context, advance care planning and, in particular, advance directives (AD) play an essential role. However, the use of AD in patients with malignant hematological conditions remains very rare. Material & methods The aim was to evaluate the perception of AD by hematologists. We conducted a national online survey in France. All hematologist working in a hospital setting and treating malignant hemopathies were solicited. The questionnaire covered five areas: personal perception of AD; assistance in writing AD; patient information about AD; use of ADs; and demographic data. Results 318 hematologists (33.7% of the whole population), working in 103 different centers across France participated in the study. 72.6% (n = 231) of the respondents believed that AD could be beneficial for patient’s care. Only 32.7% talked about AD with their patients on a regular basis. The lack of utilization was correlated with the fear of creating anxiety for the patient (64.9%; n = 172) or for relatives (30.9%; n = 80), as well as the belief that AD were deemed inappropriate for their patients (57.8%; n = 145). 19.5% (n = 62) of responding hematologist offered their assistance to patients in writing AD. This proportion was higher in physicians who had previously worked in palliative care unit (35,6% vs. 16,8%, p = 0,0004). Conclusion The majority of the surveyed hematologist hold a positive opinion about AD. However, only a few discuss the matter with their patients. The fear of consequences for patients and relatives, particularly anxiety, remains the primary barrier to providing information about AD.
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spelling doaj-art-9b1946f69daf4a949d2e1d68e836e3322025-08-20T02:51:18ZengBMCBMC Medical Ethics1472-69392024-11-0125111010.1186/s12910-024-01146-5Hematologists’ perspective on advance directives, a French national cross-sectional survey – the ADORE-H studyK. Serey0A. Cambriel1Adrien Pollina-Bachellerie2Jacques-Olivier Bay3Carole Bouleuc4Laure Ladrat5Jean-Pierre Lotz6Francois Philippart7Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Hôpital Ambroise Paré, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de ParisDepartment of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Hôpital Saint-Antoine and Hôpital Tenon, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de ParisDepartment of Anesthesiology, Cancer University Institute of Toulouse-OncopoleDepartment of Clinical Hematology and Cellular Therapy, Clermont-Ferrand University Hospital CenterDepartment of Supportive and Palliative Care, Institut CurieDepartment of Oncology and Supportive Care, Foch HospitalPôle Onco-Hématologie, Service D’oncologie Médicale et de Thérapie Cellulaire, APHP— Hôpitaux Universitaires de L’est ParisienMedical and Surgical Intensive Care Department, Groupe Hospitalier Paris Saint JosephAbstract Background The onset of hematological malignancies can lead to acute and critical situations. It can also result in adverse outcome despite the significant advancements made in their therapeutic management. In this context, advance care planning and, in particular, advance directives (AD) play an essential role. However, the use of AD in patients with malignant hematological conditions remains very rare. Material & methods The aim was to evaluate the perception of AD by hematologists. We conducted a national online survey in France. All hematologist working in a hospital setting and treating malignant hemopathies were solicited. The questionnaire covered five areas: personal perception of AD; assistance in writing AD; patient information about AD; use of ADs; and demographic data. Results 318 hematologists (33.7% of the whole population), working in 103 different centers across France participated in the study. 72.6% (n = 231) of the respondents believed that AD could be beneficial for patient’s care. Only 32.7% talked about AD with their patients on a regular basis. The lack of utilization was correlated with the fear of creating anxiety for the patient (64.9%; n = 172) or for relatives (30.9%; n = 80), as well as the belief that AD were deemed inappropriate for their patients (57.8%; n = 145). 19.5% (n = 62) of responding hematologist offered their assistance to patients in writing AD. This proportion was higher in physicians who had previously worked in palliative care unit (35,6% vs. 16,8%, p = 0,0004). Conclusion The majority of the surveyed hematologist hold a positive opinion about AD. However, only a few discuss the matter with their patients. The fear of consequences for patients and relatives, particularly anxiety, remains the primary barrier to providing information about AD.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12910-024-01146-5EthicsAdvance directivesHematologistTrust person
spellingShingle K. Serey
A. Cambriel
Adrien Pollina-Bachellerie
Jacques-Olivier Bay
Carole Bouleuc
Laure Ladrat
Jean-Pierre Lotz
Francois Philippart
Hematologists’ perspective on advance directives, a French national cross-sectional survey – the ADORE-H study
BMC Medical Ethics
Ethics
Advance directives
Hematologist
Trust person
title Hematologists’ perspective on advance directives, a French national cross-sectional survey – the ADORE-H study
title_full Hematologists’ perspective on advance directives, a French national cross-sectional survey – the ADORE-H study
title_fullStr Hematologists’ perspective on advance directives, a French national cross-sectional survey – the ADORE-H study
title_full_unstemmed Hematologists’ perspective on advance directives, a French national cross-sectional survey – the ADORE-H study
title_short Hematologists’ perspective on advance directives, a French national cross-sectional survey – the ADORE-H study
title_sort hematologists perspective on advance directives a french national cross sectional survey the adore h study
topic Ethics
Advance directives
Hematologist
Trust person
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12910-024-01146-5
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