Table 1 The characteristics of surrogate decision-makers and patients

Sex

Male: 70.5%

Female: 29.5%

Mean age ± SD

56.29 ± .34 years

Interquartile range: 50–64 years

Minimum: 21 years, maximum: 88 years

Relationship with the patient

Eldest son

48.3%

Eldest daughter

17.7%

Not the eldest child

14.6%

Spouse of offspring (son-in-law or daughter-in-law)

5.8%

Spouse

4.9%

Grandchild

3.3%

Guardian

2.1%

Siblings

2.0%

Others

1.1%

Common-law marriage

.2%

Work during the day

63.7%

Live in the same household with the patient or live close by (can reach patient within 10 min)

46.7%

First experience of surrogate decision-making

89.2%

Patients (n = 1000)

Content of the surrogate decision-making

Artificial respiration

43.7%

Cardiac massage

14.7%

Dialysis

5.4%

Artificial nutrition (nasogastric tube/intravenous hyperalimentation/gastrostomy)

36.2%

Treatment location

Acute care hospital:

61.1%

Chronic care hospital:

38.9%

Patient’s death (when the surrogate decision-maker responded)

83.9%

Patient’s ability to communicate

Able to communicate

8.6%

Some difficulty

15.3%

Limited to responding to specific requests

17.1%

Not able to communicate at all

59.0%

Patient's prior preferences

In writing

7.6%

Oral

23.0%

Left to the family

15.5%

Left to the doctor

2.2%

Did not leave

48.8%

Do not know

2.9%