Factors influencing decision-making ability of the patient receiving home medical care

Background Patients' decision-making ability is a substantial barrier to end-of-life conversations with doctors. This study aimed to examine factors influencing this ability. Methods Altogether, 914 doctors from Japanese home care supporting clinics providing home medical care as of February 2019 participated in this study. Data were collected through an anonymous mailed survey between April and May 2019. Results Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis of factors influencing patients' decision-making ability revealed the following significant factors: (a) independence level in the daily life of older adults with dementia (B: -0.52), (b) disease name (B: 0.20), and (c) family structure (B: 0.12). Conclusions Patients' decision-making ability regarding conducting end-of-life conversations with doctors was characterized; thus, (a) they did not have cognitive impairment, (b) they had cancer, and (c) they lived with a spouse.