Source: Health Policy Institute of Ohio and Health is Primary
A new survey of doctors found that while most understand the importance of discussing end-of-life care options, they still have trouble initiating those conversations with patients (Source: “Most Doctors Unsure How to Discuss End-of-Life Care, Survey Says,” Kaiser Health News, April 14, 2016).
The Health is Primary campaign recently released patient-focused materials on end-of-life care as part of its quarterly “mini campaign” series on critical health issues facing Americans.
The materials, which can be found on the Health is Primary website, include tear sheets for physicians to provide to patients on issues surrounding advanced directives and comfort care. These materials compliment the physician-focused tools developed by the American Academy of Family Physicians. The Academy’s materials on end-of-life care cover core principles, life-sustaining treatment, and medical orders for end-of-life care and postmortem decisions.
According to the national poll, 75% of doctors said that while Medicare reimbursement makes it more likely they’d have advance care planning discussions, only about 14% said they had actually billed Medicare for those visits.
Three quarters also believe it’s their responsibility to initiate end-of-life conversations.
Fewer than one-third reported any formal training on end-of-life discussions with patients and their families.
“Patients want their primary care doctors to have these conversations, and the poll shows that physicians recognize that it’s their responsibility,” said Sandra Hernández, MD, president and CEO of the California Health Care Foundation and a physician who treats HIV patients. “It’s wonderful that Medicare is reimbursing for these discussions. Now, physicians need more skills and training.”