Most People Lack Advance Medical Directives

(February 18, 2010) - Most people have not executed an advance medical care directive. An advance directive provides instructions for types of medical treatment that are desired and/or who can make decisions about medical care should someone be unable to do so for him or herself.

Approximately 66 percent of respondents to a telephone survey do not have advance medical directives, according to a new report. Younger adults and blacks were less likely than older adults and whites, respectively, to report having an advance directive, which includes the living will and health care power of attorney.

While only 34 percent of all respondents had an advance directive, 61 percent indicated they have preferences about medical care in the event they are unable to make such decisions. The primary reasons reported for not having an advance directive include being unfamiliar with them, feeling too healthy to need one, or, for the younger adults, being too young to need one. Forty percent of adults surveyed reported that they would like to obtain information on advance medical directives.

Lead study author Keshia Pollack, PhD, MPH, says "These findings suggest a disconnect between what people want in the event they are unable to make medical decisions for themselves, and their actions to ensure their preferences are actually carried out."