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. 2024 Jun 12:12:20503121241259285.
doi: 10.1177/20503121241259285. eCollection 2024.

Knowledge and attitudes of physicians in Chile toward Do-Not-Attempt-Resuscitation orders: A cross-sectional nation-wide study

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Knowledge and attitudes of physicians in Chile toward Do-Not-Attempt-Resuscitation orders: A cross-sectional nation-wide study

Yelson Alejandro Picón-Jaimes et al. SAGE Open Med. .

Abstract

Objective: Do-Not-Attempt-Resuscitation orders originated in the early 1960s with the establishment of advanced cardiopulmonary resuscitation. These orders aim to limit therapeutic efforts in cases where it may be futile. The decision not to resuscitate a patient is a process that involves a series of ethical, legal, and clinical considerations. Still, it also requires a process in which priority is given to the patients and their autonomy. The objective of this study was to describe the knowledge and attitudes of physicians working in Chile toward Do-Not-Attempt-Resuscitation orders.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted, in which a digital questionnaire was sent to physicians from different regions of Chile. Quantitative variables were analyzed using measures of central tendency and dispersion (e.g., median and interquartile range), while qualitative variables were evaluated using frequencies and percentages.

Results: Four hundred and thirty-one physicians completed the survey. 85.4% were familiar with the ethical and legal guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the rights and duties of the patient. 39.2% believed that patients should have the final decision Do-Not-Attempt-Resuscitation orders, especially if they themselves requested not to be resuscitated. 87.7% mentioned that the Do-Not-Attempt-Resuscitation orders should be reassessed if the patient's prognosis improves. In addition, it was found that the decision not to resuscitate was not always discussed with the patient or their family.

Conclusions: The study revealed an ethical conflict regarding Do-Not-Attempt-Resuscitation orders and their management by Chilean physicians. Therefore, it is necessary to create recommendations and provide training to guide professionals in this process, which should also involve patients and their families.

Keywords: Chile; Terminal care; hospice care; physicians; resuscitation orders.

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Conflict of interest statement

The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Distribution of participants according to region of origin. Participation representation is shown in colors according to ranges calculated following the Sturges Rule. Source: Figure created by the authors.

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