Journal of Gerontological Nursing
Vol. 34 No. 2 February 2008
By Marianne Matzo, PhD, APRN-BC, FAAN; Kamal Hijjazi, PhD, RN; Mary Outwater, PhD
ABSTRACT
This study sought to document older Oklahomans’ knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding the decision to write an advance directive. In Oklahoma, 67% of individuals older than age 18 do not have an advance directive; 76% say the reason is that they “have not gotten around to it.” The findings from this study also indicate that some groups in Oklahoma, because of their age and race, need nurses to initiate this conversation. The discussion about advance directives should be part of the health promotion teaching provided by nurses and presented to the general public as a normal part of health care, with the focus on planning for a comfortable and peaceful death.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Dr. Matzo is Professor and Ziegler Chair of Palliative Care Nursing, and Director, Sooner Palliative Care Institute, and Dr. Hijjazi is Adjunct Professor, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center College of Nursing, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Dr. Outwater is Director, University of Oklahoma Public Opinion Learning Laboratory, Norman, Oklahoma.
This study was funded by the Hospice Foundation of Oklahoma, Inc.
Address correspondence to Marianne Matzo, PhD, APRN-BC, FAAN, Professor and Ziegler Chair of Palliative Care Nursing, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center College of Nursing, 1100 North Stonewall Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK 73117; e-mail: mmatzo@ouhsc.edu.
