The demand for autonomy in medical decision making is increasing among Korean people, but it is not well known why some people prefer autonomy in decision making but others do not.

The aim of this study was to determine the extent to which Korean adults wished to exercise autonomy in the process of decision making regarding end-of-life treatment and to determine whether economic issues and family functioning, in particular, were associated with preferences for participation in decision making in Korean people.

This study was a cross-sectional correlational study using a survey.

Data were collected using structured questionnaires from 354 patients or their families who visited ambulatory departments at two general hospitals in South Korea, recruited by the proportionate quota sampling method. Data analysis was performed using multinomial logistic regression analyses.

The study was approved by the hospitals’ directors and the ethics committee of Kyungpook National University Hospital. Written informed consent was given by all participants.

A majority of Korean people wanted to make autonomous decisions regarding treatment at the end of life. Preferences for autonomous decision making regarding end-of-life treatment, rather than relying on family, showed a significant increase in association with poor family functioning and low income.

Results of this study suggested the necessity for development of alternatives to a dominant traditional "family-centered" approach in Korean people, in order to enhance end-of-life decision making for people who wish to take an active role in the decision-making process.

Healthcare providers need to examine not only patients’ preferred decision-making style but also any reasons for their choice, in particular, family conflict and financial burden.