Objective:

To explore knowledge and attitudes towards advance directives in health professionals from Cantabria and the Balearic Islands.

Methodology:

Cross-sectional study using an online validated questionnaire. Main measurements were socio-demographic variables, knowledge and attitudes towards Advance directives. The study was approved by the Cantabrian Ethics Committee.

Results:

274 health professionals, from Cantabria 222 and the Balearic Islands 52, responded to the questionnaire. 75.6% of professionals would grant their own Living Will Declaration, and 86.6% would tell their chronic patients to. 15.5% felt prepared enough to inform their patients, 95.2% would like to receive training. Nurses have higher knowledge about procedure, validity and consulting the living will than other health professionals. Cantabria and the Balearic Islands show statistical significance in two items: intending to grant (p = 0.005) and had consulted or proposed to consult the living will of a patient during professional practice (p = 0.000), being higher for Cantabria for both items.

Conclusions:

Health professionals have low knowledge about Advance Directives. They think it is a useful instrument for patients and for themselves. They would respect them. Professionals have little training in living wills and do not feel they could inform their patients properly. They would like to receive training irrespective of age, time working, current job, or experience. Specially important in elderly people, advance directives turn capital for geriatric specialized nurses both as receptors and as developers of this issue.

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