Many Seniors Saying No to Surgical Interventions
A study conducted by researchers at the Yale School of Medicine showed many chronically ill people over age 60 refuse medical and surgical treatments recommended by their doctors.
To arrive at their conclusions, the researchers conducted in-home interviews with patients in the advanced stages of cancer, congestive heart failure and other chronic diseases. They found that up to 16 percent of the respondents had refused at least one form of intervention suggested by their doctor.
The treatments refused most often were cardiac catheterization and surgery, but chemotherapy, radiation, and dialysis were also declined. The interviewers also noted that hospitalization was rarely refused.
“This frequency of refusal suggests that physicians may be recommending treatments for these patients that pose unacceptable burdens or that fail to meet patients’ goals. Patients with advanced illness may require a broader range of treatment alternatives, so that they can select the option that best meets their goals of care.”
Marc Rothman, MD
Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine
The study is published in the July edition of the Journal of General Internal Medicine.
Source: Yale University
Related Links: Caring Connections
Related Podcasts: Medical Care at the End of Life from NPR
Tags: geriatrics; hospice; palliative care
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