An analysis of provider attitudes toward end-of-life decision-making.
The explosion of technological and biomedical interventions over the past half century appears to have enhanced the medical profession's ability to prolong life at a faster pace than society's ability to develop comprehensive bioethical laws governing end-of-life decisions. This study was conducted to determine if there was a correlation between educational and occupational backgrounds and participants' perceptions of end-of-life care. Study participants came from various areas and levels of healthcare at a large federal healthcare facility and included nurses, doctors, pharmacists, dietitians, administrators, and others. Participants completed a questionnaire providing both sociodemographic information and perceptions of end-of-life care. Respondents were classified by type of education or background (technical, professional, or medical) and by level of involvement with patient care (direct or indirect). While the results showed a general consensus about the importance of respecting patients' end-of-life wishes, there were differences among respondents in regard to specific issues.
Yates
Jean A
JA
Graduate School of Management, Marshall University, South Charleston, West Virginia, USA.
Rutsohn
Phil
P
Ibrahim
Nabil
N
D000739:Anecdotes as Topic; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001293:Attitude to Death; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003657:Decision Making; D006801:Humans; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000592:standards*; D028701:Patient Rights; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000592:standards*; D019452:Terminally Ill / Q000523:psychology*; D014481:United States