Percent of patients age 75 and over or ages 50-74a choosing hospitalization in a hypothetical scenario of terminal illness: 58.
Percent of patients ages 65-99b choosing hospitalization in a hypothetical scenario of terminal illness: 47.
Percent of patients age 75 and over or ages 50-74a choosing intensive care in a hypothetical scenario of terminal illness: 49.
Percent of patients ages 65-99b choosing intensive care in a hypothetical scenario of terminal illness: 34.
Percent of patients age 75 and over or ages 50-74a choosing cardiopulmonary resuscitation in a hypothetical scenario of terminal illness: 44.
Percent of patients ages 65-99b choosing cardiopulmonary resuscitation in a hypothetical scenario of terminal illness: 27.
Percent of patients age 75 and over or ages 50-74a choosing artificial nutrition/hydration in a hypothetical scenario of terminal illness: 37.
Percent of patients ages 65-99b choosing artificial nutrition/hydration in a hypothetical scenario of terminal illness: 18.
Percent of patients age 75 and over or ages 50-74a choosing ventilation in a hypothetical scenario of terminal illness: 27.
Percent of patients ages 65-99b choosing ventilation in a hypothetical scenario of terminal illness: 19.
Percent of patients age 75 and over or ages 50-74a choosing surgery in a hypothetical scenario of terminal illness: 15.
Percent of patients ages 65-99b choosing surgery in a hypothetical scenario of terminal illness: 24.
aPatients were age 75 and over or ages 50-74 with congestive heart failure, ischemic heart disease, cancer, chronic lung disease, stroke or transient ischemic attacks, chronic renal insufficiency or chronic liver disease.
Source: Gramelspacher GP, Zhou X, Hanna MP, et al. Preferences of physicians and their patients for end-of-life care. J Gen Intern Med 1997;12:346-51.
bPatients were ages 65-99: 14 percent with no major illness, 19 percent with minor chronic illness, 50 percent with major chronic illness, and 15 percent with severe chronic illness or advanced cancer.
Source: Garrett JM, Harris RP, Norburn JK, et al. Life-sustaining treatments during terminal illness. Who wants what? J Gen Intern Med 1993;8(7):361-8.