Health Care Advance Directives for People Living with HIV
Allison C. Morrill, JD, PhD, Principal Investigator
Funded by National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (AI 40413)
This project designed, produced and evaluated the effectiveness of a video package, “In Good Hands,” for people living with HIV and their loved ones. The goal of the video package is for users living with HIV to execute an advance directive.
In Good Hands (video)
In Good Hands is a 25-minute video encouraging people living with HIV to make an "advance directive" -- a document that spells out what they want for their health care, and who they want to make medical decisions, in case they become incapacitated. It is a moving documentary that integrates advice from medical and legal experts with the stories of four people whose lives were profoundly affected by having or not having an advance directive:
- Andre, who was there when Dale needed him;
- Conrad, whose loved ones were locked in struggle trying to guess his wishes;
- Damaris, on the brink of decision; and
- Bill, who had to make the final decision for his lover.
Viewers learn what an advance directive is, why it is important to consider having one, and steps to ensure that your health-care wishes are followed.
Awards:
- International Health and Medical Film Festival (Finalist)
- The New York Festivals "The Global Awards" (Finalist)
- National Health Information Award (Merit)
View a clip >>
Ordering information (in English or Spanish) >>In Good Hands: A Guide to Health Care Advance Directives (booklet)
The video comes with an informative guide containing all the details needed to prepare an advance directive. Forms and a wallet card are included.
Read sample pages of the booklet (.pdf) >>
In Good Hands (web site)
Based on the video, this engaging web site includes excerpts from interviews with legal and medical experts, and with the four lay individuals featured in the video. Excerpts are in both written and optional auditory form.
Evaluation Results
Rigorous scientific evaluation found that In Good Hands does help viewers to progress along the decision-making process. Three hundred forty-four persons living with HIV were given either the video package or a pamphlet. Three months later, participants who reviewed the materials -- especially those who watched the entire video and read the entire booklet -- felt better informed, were more knowledgeable, and were less influenced by drawbacks of advance directives. Furthermore, more of those who used the materials had thought about, talked about, and intended to make an advance directive.
Research participants who viewed In good Hands gave it high marks. When asked to rate how helpful the video package was on a scale from 1 to 5, more than half gave it the top rating: a "5."