Our results are stratified by histology group and by type of interview, i.e. patient self-report or interview with the patient's designated proxy.
Informed consent and health insurance portability and accountability act authorization was obtained from the patient's designated proxy prior to enrollment.
Dyads are randomly assigned to the intervention or control group after stratification for two factors that may influence the success of the intervention: type of designated proxy (spouse vs. other) and self-report by the older adult of prior documentation of healthcare preferences (yes vs. no).
We mailed the questionnaire to a representative (the director of the breast center or a designated proxy) of each of the 56 consenting hospitals and asked them to fill out and return the questionnaire.
Ideally, the patient gives permission for the form, but if the patient is unable to, a designated proxy can do so.
Dyads (n = 240) comprising an older adult and his/her self-selected proxy are randomly allocated to the experimental or control group, after stratification for type of designated proxy and self-report of prior documentation of healthcare preferences.
Subject to favourable ethical review, persons lacking capacity may be included in research on the basis of consultation and advice either with a nominated or designated proxy (often a relative) or, where these are not available, an independent advocate [ 39, 100, 136, 137].
A modified food-frequency questionnaire interview was completed by each glioma patient or a designated proxy.
Overall, 50% (n=9) of survivors had living wills and 72% (n=13) had a formally designated proxy.
Six (55%) decedents had a living will prior to death, and all but one had a formally designated proxy per their bereaved caregivers.
8 Trained research staff, blinded to treatment allocation, telephoned patients three months after the onset of acute lung injury to provide a reminder about the follow-up study and to obtain updated contact information for the patient and designated proxies.
