Ethnically diverse older adults are the fastest growing population in the U.S. This population may experience transitional processes associated with immigration, acculturation, aging, and end of life (EOL). Advances in technology lead to increases in care options, which can cause uncertainty to make decisions for EOL. Unmade decisions about care prior to becoming unable to communicate are associated with burdens of last-minute decisions at EOL, unwanted intensive EOL treatments for people who may die naturally of old age, financial and emotional costs, and decreased quality of life. In the U.S., a multicultural country with a variety of care options, advance directive (AD) completion and advance care planning (ACP) may improve culturally competent and person-centered care at EOL. However, the rate of AD completion and ACP is low among Americans, especially immigrant communities. These communities, including Iranian-American older adults, have been frequently understudied, and there is a gap in studies of EOL desires, attitudes, and actions/behaviors. This inquiry focused on planning ahead for EOL care across transitional processes that older immigrants may face. The aim was to enhance culturally competent care for older adults through distinguishing significant factors, which may influence planning for EOL care. Specific purposes were: To identify relationships between attitudes toward planning for EOL care and social supports, spirituality, healthcare system distrust, and acculturation; to identify a relationship between attitudes and proactive actions toward planning ahead in Iranian-American older adults. Conceptual frameworks for this descriptive, cross-sectional study included Culture Care Diversity and Universality and Transitions theories. Findings from 135 participants revealed that they were new immigrants to the U.S. (mean year of 23 in the U.S., 97% born in Iran) and highly educated and insured with high health statuses. About 55% preferred non-intensive treatments and/or homecare at EOL, and 52.6% had not communicated their EOL wishes. Attitudes toward planning ahead for EOL were positively associated with acculturation and healthcare system distrust, and negatively associated with spirituality. No significant association was found between attitudes and social support. Furthermore, favorable attitudes predicted higher proactive actions to communicate wishes. Implications for practice, policy, education, and recommendations for further studies were discussed. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2017. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

Une évolution récente de la loi a rendu les directives opposables juridiquement et ainsi plus « contraignantes » pour les équipes médicales. Or dans la pratique des soins palliatifs, les soignants sont souvent confrontés à un refus des patients de se prononcer sur un choix anticipé concernant les décisions de fin de vie. À travers une étude qualitative par entretiens semi dirigés et une analyse textuelle du discours de 12 patients en situation palliative et 10 de leurs proches, nous avons étudié les freins et des leviers à la rédaction des directives anticipées chez ces patients. Au-delà du passage à l’écrit, c’est l’élaboration des DA elles-mêmes qui semble difficile chez ces patients. L’impossibilité d’imaginer, de conceptualiser le temps du mourir, bien que le pronostic soit connu, conduit à une incapacité à rédiger des DA. Un des enjeux de ces DA au-delà de leur rédaction, serait de les utiliser comme un médium de communication entre patients ou futurs patients et équipe médicale. Le partage d’une éventuelle décision concernant la fin de vie avec les proches ainsi qu’avec les équipes médicales, apparait comme indispensable. Ces échanges s’inscrivent dans un processus dynamique tenant compte de la temporalité du patient mais aussi des étapes évolutives de la pathologie, garantissant ainsi une meilleure adéquation entre situation vécue et DA. Les DA sous la forme de documents écrits ne sont pas conformes aux souhaits des patients et des proches que nous avons interrogés. La notion de discussions anticipées et d’« advance care planning » associant l’entourage, semble être plus approprié aux attentes des patients en situation palliative. Pour les proches, des discussions anticipées régulières en dehors de tout contexte médical pathologique paraissent un moyen adapté au recueil de leurs souhaits et valeurs. D’un acte individuel de rédaction, reflet de l’expression de l’autonomie de l’individu, nous devrions tendre vers une approche plus systémique. / An evolution of the law is undertaken in order to make advance directives judiciously enforceable and thus made more binding for the medical teams. However, in the practice of palliative cares, the nursing teams are often confronted to a refusal from the patients when they have to make an anticipated choice concerning the end of their life. Through a qualitative study by semi-directed interviews and a textual analysis of the speech of 12 patients in palliative situation and 10 of their relatives, we studied the brakes and levers in the drafting of advance directives in these patients. Beyond the transition to writing of directives, it is the elaboration of the ADs itself that is seemingly difficult for patients in a palliative situation. The impossibility of imagining or conceptualizing the time of death, although the prognosis is known, leads to an inability to write ADs. One of the challenges of these ADs, beyond their actual writing, would be to use them as a communication medium between patients or future patients and the medical team.The sharing of a possible end-of-life decision with relatives as well as with the medical teams, appears essential. These exchanges are part of a dynamic process taking into account the temporality of the patient but also the various evolutionary stages of the disease thus ensuring a better match between an experienced situation and ADs. ADs in the form of written documents do not conform to the wishes of the patients and relatives we interviewed.For relatives, regular early discussions outside of any pathological medical context seem to be a suitable way of collecting their wishes and values. The notion of anticipatory discussions and « advance care planning » associating the entourage, would appear to be more in line with the expectations of patients in a palliative situation. From an individual act of writing, reflecting the expression of autonomy of the individual, we should tend towards a more systemic approach.

Análisis comparativo de las legislaciones autonómicas del Estado Español. Analizando las diferencias y sus posibles consecuencias, para formular una reflexión general a la vista de experiencias previas en otros países. Se proponen estrategias para llevar a cabo procesos de planificación anticipada y no únicamente documentos de Instrucciones previas con escasa utilidad práctica y con una finalidad básica de "autonomía defensiva". / Comparative analysis of autonomics laws Spanish's state. Analyzing the differences and their possible consequences to formulate a general reflection around previous experiences in others countries. It proposes strategies to carry out processes of advance care planning and not only advance directives documents with little practical utility and with the basic purpose of "defensive autonomy".

Advance directives in Canada are instructions made by capable adults that pertain to future healthcare treatment choices at a time of incapacity. My experience as an ethicist working in an Ontario long-term care facility that provides medical treatment to patients with Alzheimer’s Dementia portrays a range of important ethical concerns that arise out of the use of advance directives, at least in terms of their current use. In this thesis I analyze composite case studies to identify the more prominent challenges that exist and I turn to the literature to seek ways to more clearly understand these problems and to determine if they can be overcome. What I conclude is that the use of advance directives with the Alzheimer’s Dementia population in long-term care, as it is currently used, is fraught with problems that are mainly irresolvable. I offer clinical and policy recommendations that are aligned with this view.

Advance directives in Canada are instructions made by capable adults that pertain to future healthcare treatment choices at a time of incapacity. My experience as an ethicist working in an Ontario long-term care facility that provides medical treatment to patients with Alzheimer’s Dementia portrays a range of important ethical concerns that arise out of the use of advance directives, at least in terms of their current use. In this thesis I analyze composite case studies to identify the more prominent challenges that exist and I turn to the literature to seek ways to more clearly understand these problems and to determine if they can be overcome. What I conclude is that the use of advance directives with the Alzheimer’s Dementia population in long-term care, as it is currently used, is fraught with problems that are mainly irresolvable. I offer clinical and policy recommendations that are aligned with this view.

published_or_final_version / Nursing Studies / Master / Master of Nursing in Advanced Practice

Résumé : Contexte : La participation des patients et de leurs proches au processus de choix de soins ainsi que l’implication des différents professionnels de la santé dans ce processus sont des priorités pour améliorer la qualité des soins. Objectifs : L ’objectif de cette recherche était de décrire comment le processus de communication entourant le choix de soins entre les professionnels, le patient et ses proches pouvait être amélioré dans le contexte de maladies graves. Suivant une perspective de recherche-action, ce projet visait également à élaborer une intervention pour favoriser ce processus. M éthode : Deux séries de quatre entretiens avec des professionnels de la santé du Centre de santé et de services sociaux de Rouyn-Noranda (CSSSRN) ont été menées entre 2009 et 2010. Les groupes représentaient des équipes (a) des soins intensifs et de l’urgence, (b) des étages de médecine et de chirurgie, (c) des soins de longue durée et de la réadaptation, (d) des soins à domicile et de cliniques externes. La première série d’entretiens a fait l’objet d’une analyse thématique alors que la deuxième série a fait l’objet d ’un questionnement analytique. Résultats : Vingt-sept et 29 participants représentant 9 professions de la santé ont respectivement participé aux entretiens de la première et de la deuxième série. La première série d’entretiens a révélé que tous les professionnels de la santé jouent un rôle dans le processus de communication entourant le choix de soins. Des stratégies utilisées par les professionnels pour favoriser la participation du patient et de ses proches à ce processus sont aussi ressorties de même que des moyens de communication utilisés entre les professionnels. Un outil de communication multidisciplinaire a été conçu à la lumière des résultats et la feuille de Niveaux d ’intervention thérapeutique (NIT) du CSSSRN a été modifiée. La deuxième série d ’entretiens a mis en relief qu’un outil de communication multidisciplinaire permettrait une meilleure reconnaissance des rôles joués par les professionnels non médecins et qu’un outil avec des choix d’objectifs de soins plutôt que des niveaux d ’interventions favoriserait la participation des professionnels non médecins, du patient et de ses proches au processus de choix de soins. Enfin, la pertinence d’un outil de référence avec des stratégies de communication pour discuter des choix de soins a été soulignée. Conclusion : Ce projet de recherche-action a permis de mieux connaître les rôles que jouent les professionnels non médecins dans la communication entourant le choix de soins et de faire ressortir des pistes de solution pour améliorer l’impact de leur participation et en accroître la légitimité. Finalement, trois outils pour améliorer la communication entourant le choix de soins ont été élaborés dans le cadre de cette recherche-action. // Abstract : Background : The involvement of patients, patients' kin and health care professionals in the communication surrounding the medical decision making process must be improved to insure health care quality. Objectives : The objective of this research was to describe how the communication between a patient, his kin and his health professionals could be improved in regards to the medical decision making process for severe illnesses. Following an action research perspective, this project also aimed to develop an intervention to facilitate this process. Method : Two rounds of four group interviews were conducted with professionals from a regional health center in northern Quebec (Centre de sante et de services sociaux de Rouyn-Noranda: CSSSRN) between 2009 and 2010. The groups represented teams from (a) the intensive care unit and the emergency room, (b) medical and surgical wards, (c) long term care and rehabilitation, (d) home care and specialized outpatient clinics. The transcripts from the first round of interviews were submitted to a thematic analysis while the ones from the second round were submitted to an analytical questioning. Results : Twenty-seven and 29 participants representing 9 health care professions participated to the interviews of the first and second rounds respectively. The first round of interviews revealed that all the health care professionals are involved in the communication associated with the medical decision making process. Strategies used by professionals to improve the participation of patients and patients' kin in the process of choosing care were identified, as well as relevant means of communication used by the professionals amongst themselves. The results inspired the development of a multidisciplinary communication tool and the revision of the decision-making tool used in the health center where the research was conducted. The second round of interviews demonstrated that a multidisciplinary communication tool could allow a better acknowledgement of the roles played by non-doctor professionals, and that a decision-making tool with goals of care rather than levels of care could improve the participation of patients, patients' kin and health care professionals in the choice of care. Finally, a reference tool guiding the communication surrounding the medical decision making process was suggested. Conclusion : This action research project allowed a better understanding of the roles played by non-doctor professionals in the communication surrounding the medical decision making process, and suggested solutions to improve the impact and the legitimacy of their involvement. Finally, three tools to improve the communication around choices of care were developed.

Introdução: O avanço tecnológico da medicina, sem dúvida trouxe aspectos positivos ao homem como salvar vidas. Em contrapartida, tem contribuído de forma desmedida para o prolongamento dessas, o que tem gerado diversos questionamentos do ponto de vista bioético principalmente na área da Terapia Intensiva. Ambiente esse, que com frequência se depara com pacientes em fase de terminalidade da vida e com perda da capacidade de exercício da autonomia. Objetivos: Avaliar o posicionamento dos médicos que atuam em Unidades de Terapia Intensiva (UTIs) diante de diretivas antecipadas de vontade (DAV) de pacientes e como objetivos específicos, avaliar o conhecimento e valores associados às DAV; identificar possíveis fatores que possam interferir na tomada de decisão; avaliar o desenvolvimento psicológico-moral destes médicos como meio de verificar a capacidade de tomada de decisão e comparar estas características, entre os médicos que atuam em Belém do Pará e em Porto Alegre. Métodos: Estudo transversal de base populacional, envolvendo UTIs de seis hospitais públicos, cinco no Pará e um no Rio Grande do Sul. Dois instrumentos foram utilizados para a coleta dos dados, um questionário autopreenchido composto por dados sociodemográficos e características dos profissionais, questões relacionadas ao tema e quatro diferentes cenários clínicos apresentados para avaliar o posicionamento dos médicos. O segundo instrumento buscou avaliar o desenvolvimento psicológico-moral dos profissionais. Os dados foram avaliados de forma quantitativa e qualitativa. Resultados: Os 115 participantes da pesquisa apresentaram uma média de idade de 40,59±9,06 anos. A maioria relatou prática religiosa (54,8%) com associação estatisticamente significativa entre os grupos estudados (p<0,001), em Belém 76,4% dos médicos praticavam uma religião e em Porto Alegre 35%, predominando a religião católica. Dentre os participantes, a maioria tinha mais de 10 anos de formado (66,9%), o mesmo se observando com o tempo de atuação em UTI (50,4%). Dentre esses, a maioria era Intensivista (63,5%). Três associações significativas foram observadas em relação às especialidades: a titulação em Medicina Intensiva, se associou com Porto Alegre (P<0,001) e a Cirurgia Geral (P<0,001) e ausência de titulação especializada (P<0,005) com Belém. Quanto ao desenvolvimento psicológico-moral, observou-se quatro estágios: conformista (2,5%), consciencioso (44,1%), autônomo (44,1%) e integrado (6,8%). Quanto ao conhecimento sobre DAV, a maioria dos participantes (83,5%) afirmou conhecer. Com relação à utilização desse instrumento, (80,9%) foi favorável, seguido dos que talvez utilizasse (14,8%) e não utilizaria (4,3%), com associação significativa entre os grupos (P=0,013), evidenciando-se, resposta "sim" para Porto Alegre e "não" para Belém. A principal justificativa para a utilização das DAV foi a autonomia (67,7%). Entre os participantes que talvez utilizasse esse documento, a justificativa foi que, esse poderia limitar a decisão (29,3%). Na necessidade de uma legislação específica, a maioria dos médicos foi favorável (88,7%), havendo uma associação estatisticamente significativa (P=0,045), entre os grupos, com Belém, se associando a uma posição mais legalista. A justificativa mais utilizada para uma legislação foi o amparo legal (53,9%). Em caso de legislação específica a maioria dos médicos (81,7%) acataria a DAV. No primeiro cenário, a maioria dos médicos (94,0%) levaria em consideração a vontade do paciente em diferentes níveis, havendo uma associação significativa entre os grupos (P=0,004). No segundo cenário, 80,0% considerou a vontade do paciente determinante. No terceiro, (96,5%) levaria em consideração a vontade do paciente em diferentes graus, com destaque (71,3%) para a vontade do paciente ser determinante, com associação significativa entre os grupos (P=0,003). No quarto cenário, a maioria dos médicos (86,1%) também levaria em consideração a vontade do paciente em diferentes graus, com associação significativa (P=0,001) entre os grupos. Quanto à justificativa para implantar ou não implantar terapêutica fútil, (83,5%) consideraram ambas justificáveis, com significância estatística entre os grupos (P=0,001). Quanto aos fatores que influenciam a tomada de decisão, os mais frequentes foram, os aspectos éticos (94,8%), legais (88,7%), morais (73,9%), técnicos (67,0%) e aspectos religiosos do paciente (52,2%). Conclusão: É possível concluir que os médicos participantes deste estudo conhecem e utilizariam as diretivas antecipadas de vontade, mas reconhecem a necessidade de ter um amparo legal específico para esta questão. Os dados gerados neste estudo, evidenciam que os médicos valorizam a vontade dos pacientes e buscam realizar decisões compartilhadas. Além disto, fica evidente a influencia regional nos fatores associados ao processo de tomada de decisão. / Introduction: Technological advancements in the medical field have undoubtedly brought forth positive aspects to man such as saving lives. On the other hand, these advancements have contributed fearlessly to prolong these lives raising a great deal of questioning from a bioethical viewpoint mainly in the area of Intensive Therapy. Such area frequently deals with patients in the end of life and some who has lost the capacity to exercise autonomy. Objectives: to evaluate the opinion of physicians who work at Intensive Care Units (ICUs) regarding advance directives (AD) of patients and as specific objectives to evaluate the knowledge and values associated to AD; identify possible factors that can interfere with decision making process; evaluate the psychological-moral development of these physicians as a means to exam their capacity to make decision and compare these features between physicians who work in Belém do Pará and in Porto Alegre. Method: This is a transversal study based on population involving ICUs of six public hospitals five in Pará and one in Rio Grande do Sul. Two tools were used in data collection process, a self-completed questionnaire composed of social demographic data and features of the professional, questions related to the theme and four different settings were presented to evaluate the position of the physicians. The second tool sought to assess the psychological-moral development of the professionals. The data were assessed in terms of quantity and quality. Results: The 115 participants in the research were between de 26 a 63 years old, with mean age 40,59±9,06. Most of them reported some kind of religious practice (54,8%) showing significant statistic association between the groups evaluated (p<0,001), in Belém 76,4% of the physicians had some religious practice and in Porto Alegre 35%, Catholicism predominating. Amongst the participants most of them had been graduated for more than 10 years (66,9%), the same was seen regarding time of activity at ICU (50,4%). Most of these were Intensive Care Physicians (63,5%). Three significant associations were perceived in relations to the specialties: entitling in Intensive Medicine associated to Porto Alegre (P<0,001) and General Surgery (P<0,001) and the lack of specialized entitling (P<0,005) to Belém. Regarding to psychological-moral development, four stages were observed: conformist (2,5%), conscientious (44,1%), autonomous (44,1%) and integrated (6,8%). In regard to knowledge of AD, most of the participants (83,5%) claimed to know it. In relation to the use of this tool (80,9%) was favorable, followed by those who would maybe use it (14,8%) and those who would not use it (4,3%), showing significant association between the groups (P=0,013), evidencing the answer "yes" for Porto Alegre and "no" for Belém. The main justification for the use of AD was the autonomy (67,7%). Among the participants who would maybe use such document, the justification was that it could hinder the decision (29,3%). As for the necessity of specific legislation, most of the physicians were favorable (88,7%) revealing a significant statistic association (P=0,045) between the groups, where Belém associated to a more legalistic position. The most common justification for legislation was legal support (53,9%). In case of specific legislation most of the physicians (81,7%) would comply with the AD. In the first setting, most of the physicians (94,0%) would take into account the will of the patient in different levels revealing a significant association between the groups (P=0,004). In the second setting 80,0% considered the patient’s will as determinant. In the third (96,5%) would consider the patient’s will in different degrees highlighting (71,3%) the patient’s will as determinant, with significant association between the groups (P=0,003). In the fourth setting, most of the physicians (86,1%) would also consider the patient’s will in different degrees with significant association (P=0,001) between the groups. As regards the justification to introduce or not futile therapy (83,5%) considered both justifiable showing significant statistic between the groups (P=0,001). Related to the factors that influence decision making, the most frequent were ethical (94,8%), legal (88,7%), moral (73,9%), technical (67,0%) and the religious aspects of the patient (52,2%). Conclusion: It is possible to conclude that the physicians participating in this study know and would use advance directives, but they recognize the need of specific legal support in this matter. Data resulting from this study reveal that physicians value the will of the patient and seek to make shared decisions. Furthermore, the regional influence is evident in the factors related to decision making process.

Introdução: O avanço tecnológico da medicina, sem dúvida trouxe aspectos positivos ao homem como salvar vidas. Em contrapartida, tem contribuído de forma desmedida para o prolongamento dessas, o que tem gerado diversos questionamentos do ponto de vista bioético principalmente na área da Terapia Intensiva. Ambiente esse, que com frequência se depara com pacientes em fase de terminalidade da vida e com perda da capacidade de exercício da autonomia. Objetivos: Avaliar o posicionamento dos médicos que atuam em Unidades de Terapia Intensiva (UTIs) diante de diretivas antecipadas de vontade (DAV) de pacientes e como objetivos específicos, avaliar o conhecimento e valores associados às DAV; identificar possíveis fatores que possam interferir na tomada de decisão; avaliar o desenvolvimento psicológico-moral destes médicos como meio de verificar a capacidade de tomada de decisão e comparar estas características, entre os médicos que atuam em Belém do Pará e em Porto Alegre. Métodos: Estudo transversal de base populacional, envolvendo UTIs de seis hospitais públicos, cinco no Pará e um no Rio Grande do Sul. Dois instrumentos foram utilizados para a coleta dos dados, um questionário autopreenchido composto por dados sociodemográficos e características dos profissionais, questões relacionadas ao tema e quatro diferentes cenários clínicos apresentados para avaliar o posicionamento dos médicos. O segundo instrumento buscou avaliar o desenvolvimento psicológico-moral dos profissionais. Os dados foram avaliados de forma quantitativa e qualitativa. Resultados: Os 115 participantes da pesquisa apresentaram uma média de idade de 40,59±9,06 anos. A maioria relatou prática religiosa (54,8%) com associação estatisticamente significativa entre os grupos estudados (p<0,001), em Belém 76,4% dos médicos praticavam uma religião e em Porto Alegre 35%, predominando a religião católica. Dentre os participantes, a maioria tinha mais de 10 anos de formado (66,9%), o mesmo se observando com o tempo de atuação em UTI (50,4%). Dentre esses, a maioria era Intensivista (63,5%). Três associações significativas foram observadas em relação às especialidades: a titulação em Medicina Intensiva, se associou com Porto Alegre (P<0,001) e a Cirurgia Geral (P<0,001) e ausência de titulação especializada (P<0,005) com Belém. Quanto ao desenvolvimento psicológico-moral, observou-se quatro estágios: conformista (2,5%), consciencioso (44,1%), autônomo (44,1%) e integrado (6,8%). Quanto ao conhecimento sobre DAV, a maioria dos participantes (83,5%) afirmou conhecer. Com relação à utilização desse instrumento, (80,9%) foi favorável, seguido dos que talvez utilizasse (14,8%) e não utilizaria (4,3%), com associação significativa entre os grupos (P=0,013), evidenciando-se, resposta "sim" para Porto Alegre e "não" para Belém. A principal justificativa para a utilização das DAV foi a autonomia (67,7%). Entre os participantes que talvez utilizasse esse documento, a justificativa foi que, esse poderia limitar a decisão (29,3%). Na necessidade de uma legislação específica, a maioria dos médicos foi favorável (88,7%), havendo uma associação estatisticamente significativa (P=0,045), entre os grupos, com Belém, se associando a uma posição mais legalista. A justificativa mais utilizada para uma legislação foi o amparo legal (53,9%). Em caso de legislação específica a maioria dos médicos (81,7%) acataria a DAV. No primeiro cenário, a maioria dos médicos (94,0%) levaria em consideração a vontade do paciente em diferentes níveis, havendo uma associação significativa entre os grupos (P=0,004). No segundo cenário, 80,0% considerou a vontade do paciente determinante. No terceiro, (96,5%) levaria em consideração a vontade do paciente em diferentes graus, com destaque (71,3%) para a vontade do paciente ser determinante, com associação significativa entre os grupos (P=0,003). No quarto cenário, a maioria dos médicos (86,1%) também levaria em consideração a vontade do paciente em diferentes graus, com associação significativa (P=0,001) entre os grupos. Quanto à justificativa para implantar ou não implantar terapêutica fútil, (83,5%) consideraram ambas justificáveis, com significância estatística entre os grupos (P=0,001). Quanto aos fatores que influenciam a tomada de decisão, os mais frequentes foram, os aspectos éticos (94,8%), legais (88,7%), morais (73,9%), técnicos (67,0%) e aspectos religiosos do paciente (52,2%). Conclusão: É possível concluir que os médicos participantes deste estudo conhecem e utilizariam as diretivas antecipadas de vontade, mas reconhecem a necessidade de ter um amparo legal específico para esta questão. Os dados gerados neste estudo, evidenciam que os médicos valorizam a vontade dos pacientes e buscam realizar decisões compartilhadas. Além disto, fica evidente a influencia regional nos fatores associados ao processo de tomada de decisão. / Introduction: Technological advancements in the medical field have undoubtedly brought forth positive aspects to man such as saving lives. On the other hand, these advancements have contributed fearlessly to prolong these lives raising a great deal of questioning from a bioethical viewpoint mainly in the area of Intensive Therapy. Such area frequently deals with patients in the end of life and some who has lost the capacity to exercise autonomy. Objectives: to evaluate the opinion of physicians who work at Intensive Care Units (ICUs) regarding advance directives (AD) of patients and as specific objectives to evaluate the knowledge and values associated to AD; identify possible factors that can interfere with decision making process; evaluate the psychological-moral development of these physicians as a means to exam their capacity to make decision and compare these features between physicians who work in Belém do Pará and in Porto Alegre. Method: This is a transversal study based on population involving ICUs of six public hospitals five in Pará and one in Rio Grande do Sul. Two tools were used in data collection process, a self-completed questionnaire composed of social demographic data and features of the professional, questions related to the theme and four different settings were presented to evaluate the position of the physicians. The second tool sought to assess the psychological-moral development of the professionals. The data were assessed in terms of quantity and quality. Results: The 115 participants in the research were between de 26 a 63 years old, with mean age 40,59±9,06. Most of them reported some kind of religious practice (54,8%) showing significant statistic association between the groups evaluated (p<0,001), in Belém 76,4% of the physicians had some religious practice and in Porto Alegre 35%, Catholicism predominating. Amongst the participants most of them had been graduated for more than 10 years (66,9%), the same was seen regarding time of activity at ICU (50,4%). Most of these were Intensive Care Physicians (63,5%). Three significant associations were perceived in relations to the specialties: entitling in Intensive Medicine associated to Porto Alegre (P<0,001) and General Surgery (P<0,001) and the lack of specialized entitling (P<0,005) to Belém. Regarding to psychological-moral development, four stages were observed: conformist (2,5%), conscientious (44,1%), autonomous (44,1%) and integrated (6,8%). In regard to knowledge of AD, most of the participants (83,5%) claimed to know it. In relation to the use of this tool (80,9%) was favorable, followed by those who would maybe use it (14,8%) and those who would not use it (4,3%), showing significant association between the groups (P=0,013), evidencing the answer "yes" for Porto Alegre and "no" for Belém. The main justification for the use of AD was the autonomy (67,7%). Among the participants who would maybe use such document, the justification was that it could hinder the decision (29,3%). As for the necessity of specific legislation, most of the physicians were favorable (88,7%) revealing a significant statistic association (P=0,045) between the groups, where Belém associated to a more legalistic position. The most common justification for legislation was legal support (53,9%). In case of specific legislation most of the physicians (81,7%) would comply with the AD. In the first setting, most of the physicians (94,0%) would take into account the will of the patient in different levels revealing a significant association between the groups (P=0,004). In the second setting 80,0% considered the patient’s will as determinant. In the third (96,5%) would consider the patient’s will in different degrees highlighting (71,3%) the patient’s will as determinant, with significant association between the groups (P=0,003). In the fourth setting, most of the physicians (86,1%) would also consider the patient’s will in different degrees with significant association (P=0,001) between the groups. As regards the justification to introduce or not futile therapy (83,5%) considered both justifiable showing significant statistic between the groups (P=0,001). Related to the factors that influence decision making, the most frequent were ethical (94,8%), legal (88,7%), moral (73,9%), technical (67,0%) and the religious aspects of the patient (52,2%). Conclusion: It is possible to conclude that the physicians participating in this study know and would use advance directives, but they recognize the need of specific legal support in this matter. Data resulting from this study reveal that physicians value the will of the patient and seek to make shared decisions. Furthermore, the regional influence is evident in the factors related to decision making process.

Introdução: O avanço tecnológico da medicina, sem dúvida trouxe aspectos positivos ao homem como salvar vidas. Em contrapartida, tem contribuído de forma desmedida para o prolongamento dessas, o que tem gerado diversos questionamentos do ponto de vista bioético principalmente na área da Terapia Intensiva. Ambiente esse, que com frequência se depara com pacientes em fase de terminalidade da vida e com perda da capacidade de exercício da autonomia. Objetivos: Avaliar o posicionamento dos médicos que atuam em Unidades de Terapia Intensiva (UTIs) diante de diretivas antecipadas de vontade (DAV) de pacientes e como objetivos específicos, avaliar o conhecimento e valores associados às DAV; identificar possíveis fatores que possam interferir na tomada de decisão; avaliar o desenvolvimento psicológico-moral destes médicos como meio de verificar a capacidade de tomada de decisão e comparar estas características, entre os médicos que atuam em Belém do Pará e em Porto Alegre. Métodos: Estudo transversal de base populacional, envolvendo UTIs de seis hospitais públicos, cinco no Pará e um no Rio Grande do Sul. Dois instrumentos foram utilizados para a coleta dos dados, um questionário autopreenchido composto por dados sociodemográficos e características dos profissionais, questões relacionadas ao tema e quatro diferentes cenários clínicos apresentados para avaliar o posicionamento dos médicos. O segundo instrumento buscou avaliar o desenvolvimento psicológico-moral dos profissionais. Os dados foram avaliados de forma quantitativa e qualitativa. Resultados: Os 115 participantes da pesquisa apresentaram uma média de idade de 40,59±9,06 anos. A maioria relatou prática religiosa (54,8%) com associação estatisticamente significativa entre os grupos estudados (p<0,001), em Belém 76,4% dos médicos praticavam uma religião e em Porto Alegre 35%, predominando a religião católica. Dentre os participantes, a maioria tinha mais de 10 anos de formado (66,9%), o mesmo se observando com o tempo de atuação em UTI (50,4%). Dentre esses, a maioria era Intensivista (63,5%). Três associações significativas foram observadas em relação às especialidades: a titulação em Medicina Intensiva, se associou com Porto Alegre (P<0,001) e a Cirurgia Geral (P<0,001) e ausência de titulação especializada (P<0,005) com Belém. Quanto ao desenvolvimento psicológico-moral, observou-se quatro estágios: conformista (2,5%), consciencioso (44,1%), autônomo (44,1%) e integrado (6,8%). Quanto ao conhecimento sobre DAV, a maioria dos participantes (83,5%) afirmou conhecer. Com relação à utilização desse instrumento, (80,9%) foi favorável, seguido dos que talvez utilizasse (14,8%) e não utilizaria (4,3%), com associação significativa entre os grupos (P=0,013), evidenciando-se, resposta "sim" para Porto Alegre e "não" para Belém. A principal justificativa para a utilização das DAV foi a autonomia (67,7%). Entre os participantes que talvez utilizasse esse documento, a justificativa foi que, esse poderia limitar a decisão (29,3%). Na necessidade de uma legislação específica, a maioria dos médicos foi favorável (88,7%), havendo uma associação estatisticamente significativa (P=0,045), entre os grupos, com Belém, se associando a uma posição mais legalista. A justificativa mais utilizada para uma legislação foi o amparo legal (53,9%). Em caso de legislação específica a maioria dos médicos (81,7%) acataria a DAV. No primeiro cenário, a maioria dos médicos (94,0%) levaria em consideração a vontade do paciente em diferentes níveis, havendo uma associação significativa entre os grupos (P=0,004). No segundo cenário, 80,0% considerou a vontade do paciente determinante. No terceiro, (96,5%) levaria em consideração a vontade do paciente em diferentes graus, com destaque (71,3%) para a vontade do paciente ser determinante, com associação significativa entre os grupos (P=0,003). No quarto cenário, a maioria dos médicos (86,1%) também levaria em consideração a vontade do paciente em diferentes graus, com associação significativa (P=0,001) entre os grupos. Quanto à justificativa para implantar ou não implantar terapêutica fútil, (83,5%) consideraram ambas justificáveis, com significância estatística entre os grupos (P=0,001). Quanto aos fatores que influenciam a tomada de decisão, os mais frequentes foram, os aspectos éticos (94,8%), legais (88,7%), morais (73,9%), técnicos (67,0%) e aspectos religiosos do paciente (52,2%). Conclusão: É possível concluir que os médicos participantes deste estudo conhecem e utilizariam as diretivas antecipadas de vontade, mas reconhecem a necessidade de ter um amparo legal específico para esta questão. Os dados gerados neste estudo, evidenciam que os médicos valorizam a vontade dos pacientes e buscam realizar decisões compartilhadas. Além disto, fica evidente a influencia regional nos fatores associados ao processo de tomada de decisão. / Introduction: Technological advancements in the medical field have undoubtedly brought forth positive aspects to man such as saving lives. On the other hand, these advancements have contributed fearlessly to prolong these lives raising a great deal of questioning from a bioethical viewpoint mainly in the area of Intensive Therapy. Such area frequently deals with patients in the end of life and some who has lost the capacity to exercise autonomy. Objectives: to evaluate the opinion of physicians who work at Intensive Care Units (ICUs) regarding advance directives (AD) of patients and as specific objectives to evaluate the knowledge and values associated to AD; identify possible factors that can interfere with decision making process; evaluate the psychological-moral development of these physicians as a means to exam their capacity to make decision and compare these features between physicians who work in Belém do Pará and in Porto Alegre. Method: This is a transversal study based on population involving ICUs of six public hospitals five in Pará and one in Rio Grande do Sul. Two tools were used in data collection process, a self-completed questionnaire composed of social demographic data and features of the professional, questions related to the theme and four different settings were presented to evaluate the position of the physicians. The second tool sought to assess the psychological-moral development of the professionals. The data were assessed in terms of quantity and quality. Results: The 115 participants in the research were between de 26 a 63 years old, with mean age 40,59±9,06. Most of them reported some kind of religious practice (54,8%) showing significant statistic association between the groups evaluated (p<0,001), in Belém 76,4% of the physicians had some religious practice and in Porto Alegre 35%, Catholicism predominating. Amongst the participants most of them had been graduated for more than 10 years (66,9%), the same was seen regarding time of activity at ICU (50,4%). Most of these were Intensive Care Physicians (63,5%). Three significant associations were perceived in relations to the specialties: entitling in Intensive Medicine associated to Porto Alegre (P<0,001) and General Surgery (P<0,001) and the lack of specialized entitling (P<0,005) to Belém. Regarding to psychological-moral development, four stages were observed: conformist (2,5%), conscientious (44,1%), autonomous (44,1%) and integrated (6,8%). In regard to knowledge of AD, most of the participants (83,5%) claimed to know it. In relation to the use of this tool (80,9%) was favorable, followed by those who would maybe use it (14,8%) and those who would not use it (4,3%), showing significant association between the groups (P=0,013), evidencing the answer "yes" for Porto Alegre and "no" for Belém. The main justification for the use of AD was the autonomy (67,7%). Among the participants who would maybe use such document, the justification was that it could hinder the decision (29,3%). As for the necessity of specific legislation, most of the physicians were favorable (88,7%) revealing a significant statistic association (P=0,045) between the groups, where Belém associated to a more legalistic position. The most common justification for legislation was legal support (53,9%). In case of specific legislation most of the physicians (81,7%) would comply with the AD. In the first setting, most of the physicians (94,0%) would take into account the will of the patient in different levels revealing a significant association between the groups (P=0,004). In the second setting 80,0% considered the patient’s will as determinant. In the third (96,5%) would consider the patient’s will in different degrees highlighting (71,3%) the patient’s will as determinant, with significant association between the groups (P=0,003). In the fourth setting, most of the physicians (86,1%) would also consider the patient’s will in different degrees with significant association (P=0,001) between the groups. As regards the justification to introduce or not futile therapy (83,5%) considered both justifiable showing significant statistic between the groups (P=0,001). Related to the factors that influence decision making, the most frequent were ethical (94,8%), legal (88,7%), moral (73,9%), technical (67,0%) and the religious aspects of the patient (52,2%). Conclusion: It is possible to conclude that the physicians participating in this study know and would use advance directives, but they recognize the need of specific legal support in this matter. Data resulting from this study reveal that physicians value the will of the patient and seek to make shared decisions. Furthermore, the regional influence is evident in the factors related to decision making process.