Belitung Nursing Journal
Vol. 12 No. 3 (2026): May - June

Factors predicting intention to engage in advance care planning among patients with chronic kidney disease in Thailand: A cross-sectional study

Kanokwan Linthong (Master of Nursing Science (Adult and Older Adult Nursing), Faculty of Nursing, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, Thailand)
Yaowarat Matchim (Faculty of Nursing, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, Thailand)
Piyawan Kanan (Faculty of Nursing, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, Thailand)
Thatsanee Poosumang (Faculty of Nursing, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, Thailand)



Article Info

Publish Date
28 Jun 2026

Abstract

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive condition associated with declining decisional capacity and increased end-of-life care needs. Although advance care planning (ACP) supports patient autonomy and goal-concordant care, engagement remains limited, particularly among patients with pre-dialysis CKD in Thailand. Objectives: To assess the level of intention to engage in ACP and identify factors predicting ACP intention among patients with CKD stages 3–5 in Thailand. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from April to June 2025 among 184 patients aged ≥20 years with CKD stages 3–5 attending nephrology outpatient clinics at five public tertiary-level hospitals. Participants were recruited through purposive sampling using a multistage approach. Data were collected using validated questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics and hierarchical multiple regression. Results: The mean age of participants was 64.48 years (SD = 11.78), and 51.6% were female. The level of intention to engage in ACP was low (M = 16.89, SD = 7.83). Hierarchical regression analysis identified attitudes toward ACP (β = 0.296, p < 0.001), family support (β = 0.220, p = 0.001), perceived self-efficacy in self-management (β = 0.155, p < 0.05), and knowledge of ACP (β = 0.145, p < 0.05) as significant predictors. The final model explained 56.6% of the variance in ACP intention (R² = 0.566), with the independent variables contributing an additional 33.3% beyond demographic and clinical variables (ΔR² = 0.333, p < 0.001). Death anxiety was not a significant predictor. Conclusions: ACP intention among Thai patients with CKD was low, influenced by attitudes, family support, self-efficacy, and ACP knowledge. Nurses should implement family-centered, empowerment-based educational interventions and integrate ACP discussions into routine nephrology care to promote timely and culturally aligned end-of-life decision-making.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

bnj

Publisher

Subject

Nursing

Description

BNJ contributes to the advancement of evidence-based nursing, midwifery and healthcare by disseminating high quality research and scholarship of contemporary relevance and with potential to advance knowledge for practice, education, management or policy. BNJ welcomes submissions of evidence-based ...