An Evaluation of the Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) Program
Author | : Aluem Tark |
Publisher | : |
Total Pages | : |
Release | : 2019 |
ISBN-10 | : OCLC:1124987289 |
ISBN-13 | : |
Rating | : 4/5 (89 Downloads) |
Book excerpt: In order to increase awareness in the importance of quality care provided to those who are near EoL, the Institute of Medicine (IOM; now the National Academy of Medicine) recommended a nation-wide implementation of an advance care planning tool, the POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment). Designed specifically for frail individuals living with serious illnesses, the POLST program is used to elicit care preferences and deliver goal-concordant care. Making patients' specific care wishes actionable and transferrable, it aims to preserve one's autonomy, and to allow them to die with dignity. This dissertation aims to evaluate the POLST program, from its effectiveness, dissemination, to outcomes associated with its maturity status. The first chapter provides background information on the aging population the importance of advance care planning among frail elderly persons. The POLST program is introduced and I lay out the three research aims and the significance of each topic.