Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Advance Directives

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine if Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients use advance directives. Since the PSDA (Patient Self Determination Act) was passed in 1990, the use of advance directives has low numbers. This study utilized the model of Joyce Travelbees (Tomey & Alligood, 1998) human-to-human-relationship theory which emphasizes attaining a rapport with the patient after progressing through the original encounter, emerging identities, having sympathy and empathy. Twenty-five COPD subjects were given a quantitative cross sectional survey at a suburban hospital in Michigan, which included demographic information such as: age, gender, education, marital status and insurance. The subjects completed a self-report questionnaire about advance directives including questions such as: do you have an advance directive and who gave you information about advance directives. This study used SPSS (Statistical Package for the social sciences) for analyzing the data. The results showed that most subjects were > 65 years of age, had a high-school education, were female, and were married. Results for this study also revealed that a high number of the subjects did not have an advanced directive. Implications for theory, practice and research are related to the results. Of special importance is that healthcare workers, including nurse practitioners, should continue to support advance directives in their professional practice.