Table 2

Baseline demographic characteristics of patients and substitute decision-makers in the trial

Immediate intervention group (n=34)Delayed intervention group (n=24)
Patients
Age, mean (SD)76 (8)74 (7)
Female, n (%)17 (50)14 (58)
Married or living as married, n (%)27 (79)20 (83)
University degree, n (%)16 (47)9 (38)
Self-rated health fair or poor, n (%)6 (18)6 (25)
Health literacy, n (%)
Need help sometimes, often, always
2 (6)2 (8)
Frailty score, n (%)
Vulnerable or higher (category 4)
6 (18)7 (29)
Substitute decision-makers
Age (mean, SD)66 (12)66 (10)
Female, n (%)23 (72)14 (58)
Relationship to patient, n (%)
 Spouse24 (71)15 (63)
 Child9 (27)7 (29)
 Other relative or friend1 (3)2 (8)
University degree, n (%)18 (54)13 (54)
Have been a medical decision-maker before, n (%)8 (24)9 (38)
Have been formally asked by patient to be medical decision-maker, n (%)21 (62)15 (63)