The Singapore Family Physician

Back to issue Vol 49 No. 4 - Geriatric Care 2023

Addressing the Elephant in the Room: Advance Care Planning and Its Relevance to Family Physicians Today

Ng Han Lip Raymond
The Singapore Family Physician Vol 49 No 4 - Geriatric Care 2023
58 - 62
31 March 2023
0377-5305
It has been acknowledged that the improvement of individuals’ health information can produce many benefits. Past research has examined the topic of health information rather extensively, emphasising on specific or serious illnesses that involve specialist doctors’ expertise. This study has chosen to focus on the context of patients’ consultations with GPs. An online questionnaire was circulated using the non-probability voluntary response and snowballing sampling methods. The collected data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Software version 28, with generated descriptive statistics and Chi Square Tests results. The research outcome indicated that though respondents do ask questions of their GPs, their frequencies of making enquiries differ. The satisfaction with the amount and the understandability of the health information provided by GPs are of average levels. Despite the popularity of online resources, hardcopy notes is the preferred medium of health communication. Based on the research results, one of the recommendations is that health authorities and GPs could do more to drive patients’ information-seeking propensity. In addition, even in a technology-enabled era, there is still merit in creating and availing printed materials to help improve the perceived quality of health information.