Implementing patient values assessments to help with advance cancer planning is feasible and scalable, and can lead to less aggressive care at the end of life, according to a study involving nearly 1,300 individuals. Participants with metastatic cancer were given a 10-question values assessment. Investigators looked at answers relative to demographics, diagnosis, stage, chemotherapy, and outcomes. Among the results:

• Of 438 deaths, 308 had a place of death or a hospice enrollment recorded.
• Of these, 8 in every 10 died at home or in hospice; 15% died in the hospital.
• ~Three-fourths of those with advance directives were enrolled in hospice, vs 6 in every 10 of those without such directives.
• Patients with advance directives stayed in hospice a median of 21 days, vs ~13 days for those without such directives.
• ~9% with advance directives received chemotherapy in the last 14 days of life, vs ~16% of those without such directives.