title: Gender differences in older adults' preferences for life-sustaining medical treatments and end-of-life values.
abstract: In the present study, we examined gender differences in preferences for life sustaining treatments in response to various health state scenarios and the endorsement of end-of-life values in 99 older adults. Men preferred life-sustaining treatments more than women overall, for specific treatments (i.e., CPR, surgery, and artificial feeding), and in response to specific health scenarios (i.e., current health, Alzheimer's disease, coma with a slight chance of recovery). In terms of values, women indicated a greater desire for a dignified death than men.
authors.affiliation: Pennsylvania State University, Abington College, Pennsylvania, USA. jab61@psu.edu
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bookwala
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Coppola
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fagerlin
authors.forename: P H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Ditto
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Danks
authors.forename: W D
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Smucker
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008020:Life Support Care / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012737:Sex Factors; D012945:Social Values