Readiness for advance care planning and its relationship to coping style in patients with chronic diseases in communities: A cross-sectional study.

The sample was recruited by convenience sampling from one municipality in China, so it may not represent all communities or countries. The study was cross-sectional, so it can show associations between coping style, illness factors and readiness, but cannot show that these factors cause readiness. The regression model explained a relatively small amount of variation in readiness, according to the authors. Many participants had normal or mild disease intensity, and patients in acute or critical conditions were excluded, so the findings may not apply to patients who are seriously unwell. The advance care planning readiness questionnaire was developed by the research team and validated mainly in this study, so its use outside this setting is not established.

The authors declare no conflicts of interest. The supplied publication types list research support, non-U.S. government, but the article text does not identify a funder or sponsor role.

Do not conclude that advance care planning conversations improve patient outcomes or that active coping causes higher readiness. The study measured readiness and associations at one time, so it cannot show that talking about advance care planning works or that changing coping changes readiness.