Broadcast date: 12/18/2014
In a 2011 California Healthcare Foundation poll Californians were asked if they felt it was important to discuss Advance Planning with their healthcare providers.
82% said “yes” and most indicated it was “very important”. However, only 23% have put anything in writing, fewer have talked about it and only 8% of Californians have discussed their wishes with their providers. Having conversations about healthcare choices can be difficult, and many people choose to avoid the discussion altogether leading to unwanted care, ineffective and expensive treatments, patient and family suffering and personal wishes going unexpressed or un-honored.
The Problem: people not getting they would choose for themselves when at end of their life. The Solution: Earlier Advance Care Planning and Advance Directives including POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment).
Host Kris Kington-Barker is joined by guest Lael Duncan, MD, Medical Director of Consulting Services with the Coalition for Compassionate Care of California to discuss taking charge of your healthcare treatment through advanced care planning and how to talk with loved ones and your healthcare team about healthcare choices that are important to you.
Central Coast Voices is sponsored by ACTION for Healthy Communities in collaboration with KCBX.
