The Massachusetts Coalition for Serious Illness Care held its inaugural summit at the JFK Library in Boston Thursday, sharing the results of a landmark survey on Massachusetts residents’ experiences and preferences concerning end-of-life (EOL) care. Among the Coalition’s findings were deep divides between what patients know and want concerning EOL care, and their actions. For example, the survey found 85 percent of Massachusetts residents believe that physicians and their patients should talk about end-of-life care – but only 15 percent have actually had such conversations. However, the survey also found that when respondents do name a health care agent, 85 percent talked to their agent about their wishes if faced with serious illness.
Featured speakers included Governor Charlie Baker and Atul Gawande, MD, author of the best-selling book “Being Mortal.” The Coalition’s goal is “for everyone in Massachusetts to be cared for in accordance with their own goals and preferences, at every stage of health care and illness.” The Massachusetts Hospital Association has joined the coalition.