Advance directives: autonomy tool for cancer patients

Abstract

Advance directives allow patients to assign a legal representative and express their wishes to be fulfilled when they can no longer communicate. This study evaluated cancer patients’ knowledge and preferences regarding these directives. A cross-sectional quantitative research was conducted by filling out two advance directive models and a questionnaire. Of the total sample, 87.38% had never heard of such document, 97.2% ignored the two models available and 95% had no difficulties filling it out. After clarifications, 93.46% considered it important for all patients to write a directive, 94.86% expressed that advance directives should be made available to patients and 91.12% argued that a federal law should be passed. Explaining the concept of advanced directives increased the interest of cancer patients in exercising this right which strengthen their autonomy.