Public Attitudes Toward Advance Directives in Japan
Author Information
Author(s): Miyata Hiroaki, Shiraishi Hiromi, Kai Ichiro
Primary Institution: University of Tokyo
Hypothesis
What are the preferences of the general public in Japan regarding advance directives and treatment at the end of life?
Conclusion
Many Japanese people are interested in advance directives, but there are significant barriers to expressing their treatment preferences.
Supporting Evidence
- Over 60% of respondents agreed that it is better to express their wishes regarding advance directives.
- Less than 10% of respondents had already expressed their treatment preferences.
- About 80% of respondents preferred to decide treatment preferences in consultation with others.
Takeaway
Most people in Japan want to share their wishes about medical treatment, but very few have actually done it.
Methodology
A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 418 middle-aged and senior adults in Tokyo, Japan, using a self-administered questionnaire.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to self-reported data and the exclusion of individuals over 65 years old.
Limitations
The study was limited to residents of Tokyo aged 40 to 65, which may not represent the entire Japanese population.
Participant Demographics
Mean age of respondents was 52.8 years, with 57.7% female and 76.3% married.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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