Attitudes toward life-sustaining interventions among ambulatory black and white patients.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate racial differences in preference for life-sustaining interventions in the context of various physical and mental health scenarios.


METHODS
Data were collected by using an investigator-administered survey.


METHODS
Consecutive patients who self-identified as African American or Caucasian were recruited from two private primary care practices in Rochester, New York.


METHODS
Patients were asked to decide whether they would accept or decline life-sustaining intervention in eight scenarios, each involving a different combination of mental and physical disability. Information on religiousness, family integration, and experience with creating a healthcare proxy was also collected, as these variables were believed to be potential confounders of the relationship between race and preference.


RESULTS
Data from 77 patients (50 Black patients and 27 White patients) were analyzed. In multivariate log linear modeling, race was a significant predictor of preference for life-sustaining therapy, even after controlling for degree of mental and physical disability. Religiousness, family integration, and experience with creating a healthcare proxy did not explain racial differences in preference for life-sustaining therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
We have shown that ambulatory Black patients aged > or = 50 years are more likely than White patients to prefer life-sustaining care, and that these preferences persist across a wide range of mental and physical disabilities. This attitude conflicts with the prevailing ethic regarding end-of-life care, and Black patients and their families may consequently find have difficulty obtaining medical care that is consistent with their cultural values and beliefs. Policy decisions regarding end-of-life care must reflect a culturally diverse perspective.
Bayer
William
W
Department of Family Medicine, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, USA. wbayer1@rochester.rr.com
Mallinger
Julie B
JB
Krishnan
Ashok
A
Shields
Cleveland G
CG
D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000368:Aged; D001293:Attitude to Death / Q000208:ethnology*; D015986:Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003657:Decision Making; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008020:Life Support Care; D016014:Linear Models; D016224:Living Wills; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009518:New York / Q000453:epidemiology; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D019727:Proxy; D016414:Resuscitation Orders; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*