Physicians' and nurses' preferences in using life-sustaining treatments.
The aim of this study was to examine physicians' and nurses' preferences regarding the use of life-sustaining treatments (LST) for severely ill elderly patients, and the patient- and social-centered factors that influence them. Physicians and nurses working in Israeli general hospitals completed structured questionnaires referring to their preferences for using LST in three severe health conditions (metastatic cancer, mental illness and being bedridden/incontinent). The participants were also asked about factors influencing these preferences, including patients' wishes, quality of life, religiosity and the current law. Both physicians and nurses indicated that they would use less LST for patients with metastatic cancer than with those suffering from the other two health conditions. Our findings indicate that the attitudes of professionals involved in these processes are influenced not only by the patient's condition but also by their professional orientations and personal values. Open communication among professionals for clarifying the various beliefs, as well as the antecedents of these beliefs, is important for the benefit of professional teams, patients and families.
Carmel
Sara
S
Center for Multidisciplinary Research in Aging, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel. sara@bgumail.bgu.ac.il
Werner
Perla
P
Ziedenberg
Hanna
H
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002755:Choice Behavior / Q000941:ethics; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006769:Hospitals, General; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel; D007585:Jews / Q000523:psychology; D008020:Life Support Care / Q000941:ethics / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D018447:Medical Futility; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital / Q000941:ethics / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology*; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000941:ethics / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology*; D028701:Patient Rights / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D018579:Patient Selection / Q000941:ethics; D012069:Religion and Psychology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D028761:Withholding Treatment / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence