RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Older Adults’ Preferences for When and How to Discuss Life Expectancy in Primary Care
JF The Journal of the American Board of Family
                Medicine
JO J Am Board Fam Med
FD American Board of Family Medicine
SP 813
OP 815
DO 10.3122/jabfm.2017.06.170067
VO 30
IS 6
A1 Nancy L. Schoenborn
A1 Kimberley Lee
A1 Craig E. Pollack
A1 Karen Armacost
A1 Sydney M. Dy
A1 Qian-Li Xue
A1 Antonio C. Wolff
A1 Cynthia Boyd
YR 2017
UL http://www.jabfm.org/content/30/6/813.abstract
AB Introduction: Life expectancy is important to inform a number of clinical decisions in primary care but its communication is challenging for clinicians.Methods: This qualitative interview study with 40 community-dwelling older adults explored their perspectives on how and when to discuss life expectancy in primary care.Results: Most participants did not want to discuss life expectancy longer than 1 year but were open to being offered discussion by clinicians. Suggestions included using health decline as trigger for discussion and discussing with family members instead of patient.Discussion: Although older adults have varied preferences for the timing and content of life expectancy discussions in primary care, it was generally acceptable for clinicians to offer the opportunity for this type of discussion.