Image--the journal of nursing scholarship
-
Decisions concerning life-sustaining treatments and the congruence in decision-making between patients and potential surrogates were examined. The ability of a patient-chosen surrogate to make decisions reflecting the wishes of that patient was estimated. ⋯ Patients and surrogates made similar decisions on all treatments except cancer chemotherapy, for which surrogates were significantly more likely to choose treatment when patients would have them refuse. The findings can assist patients and clinicians in choosing a surrogate whose decision-making corresponds with patient choices.