Factors influencing healthcare professionals' attitudes toward advance care planning

AIM: To examine healthcare professionals' knowledge and attitudes regarding Advance Care Planning (ACP), advance directives, and related legislation. The study also explored how sociodemographic and professional characteristics influence these perceptions. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among healthcare professionals in Asturias, Spain, using an online questionnaire. A multiple linear regression model was employed to analyze the impact of sociodemographic and occupational characteristics on the survey outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 409 responses were collected. Professional category, specific training, age, and work area were found to influence the quality of ACP and attitudes towards it. A significant lack of specific training hindered the development of a proactive attitude toward ACP. CONCLUSIONS: There is a need to promote a cultural shift in the approach to end-of-life care and ACP. Effective interventions should be developed to improve the quality of end-of-life care and fulfill patient wishes.