Physicians' experiences with end-of-life decision-making: survey in 6 European countries and Australia.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In this study we investigated (a) to what extent physicians have experience with performing a range of end-of-life decisions (ELDs), (b) if they have no experience with performing an ELD, would they be willing to do so under certain conditions and (c) which background characteristics are associated with having experience with/or being willing to make such ELDs.

Methods

An anonymous questionnaire was sent to 16,486 physicians from specialities in which death is common: Australia, Belgium, Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden and Switzerland.

Results

The response rate differed between countries (39-68%). The experience of foregoing life-sustaining treatment ranged between 37% and 86%: intensifying the alleviation of pain or other symptoms while taking into

SUBMITTER: Lofmark R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2277432 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature