Beliefs, death, anxiety, denial, and treatment preferences in end-of-life care: a comparison of social work students, community residents, and medical students.
This study examined cultural and religious beliefs, death anxiety, denial, and medical treatment preferences in end-of-life care in a sample of social work students, community residents, and medical students in a mid-western city of 49,000. Results indicated that most social work students, community residents, and medical students preferred palliative as opposed to life-prolonging care during terminal illness. The three groups differed in cultural and religious beliefs and all three reported a moderate amount of death anxiety. Students reported less denial of terminality than community residents. Implications for personal and professional preparation to provide end-of-life care are discussed.
Reese
Dona J
DJ
School of Social Work, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA. reese@mail.uark.edu
Chan
Cecilia L W
CL
Perry
David C
DC
Wiersgalla
Diane
D
Schlinger
Jennifer M
JM
D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology*; D001290:Attitude; D001293:Attitude to Death; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D003469:Culture; D003643:Death; D003717:Denial, Psychological; D006801:Humans; D008020:Life Support Care / Q000523:psychology; D012067:Religion; D012947:Social Work; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000523:psychology*