Factors influencing terminal cancer patients’ autonomous DNR decision: a longitudinal statutory document and clinical database study

OBJECTIVE: Much of our knowledge of patient autonomy of DNR (do-not-resuscitate) is derived from the cross-sectional questionnaire surveys. Using signatures on statutory documents and medical records, we analyzed longitudinal data to understand the fact of terminal cancer patients’ autonomous DNR decision-making in Taiwan. METHODS: Using the medical information system database of one public medical center in Taiwan, we identified hospitalized cancer patients who died between Jan. 2017 and Dec. 2018, collected their demographic and clinical course data and records of their statutory DNR document types, letter of intent (DNR-LOI) signed by the patient personally and the consent form signed by their close relatives. RESULTS: We identified 1,338 signed DNR documents, 754 (56.35%) being DNR-LOI. Many patients had the first DNR order within their last week of life (40.81%). Signing the DNR-LOI was positively associated with being under the care of a family medicine physician prior to death at last hospitalization and having hospice palliative care and negatively associated with patient age ≥ 65 years, no formal education, having ≥ 3 children, having the first DNR order to death ≤ 29 days, and the last admission in an intensive care unit. CONCLUSIONS: A substantial proportion of terminal cancer patients did not sign DNR documents by themselves. It indicates they may not know their actual terminal conditions and lose the last chance to grasp time to express their life values and wishes. Medical staff involving cancer patient care may need further education on the legal and ethical issues revolving around patient autonomy and training on communicating end-of-life options with the patients. We suggest proactively discussing DNR decision issues with terminal cancer patients no later than when their estimated survival is close to 1 month.