Advance Directives and Spending at the End of Life

On October 5, 2011, the Journal of the American Medical Association reported the results of a study indicating that advance directives specifying limits at the end of life may have their greatest impact in regions where the norms are to provide high-intensive end-of-life treatment. In this interview, Myra Christopher, then president and CEO of the Center, says that the study substantiates the Center’s belief that patients who are provided care consistent with their individual goals and values and appropriate for their condition do not spend as much money and discusses other studies that validate a causal link between advance care planning, spending and burdens on families. (October 7, 2011)