Related Experiment Videos
Ethnicity and attitudes towards life sustaining technology
L J Blackhall1, G Frank, S T Murphy
1Pacific Center for Health Policy and Ethics and Department of Medicine, University of Southern California School of Medicine, Los Angeles 90033, USA.
Social Science & Medicine (1982)
|July 15, 1999
Summary
Ethnic background significantly influences end-of-life decisions regarding life support. Attitudes vary, with some groups more accepting of life support but preferring family decisions, while others show distrust in healthcare systems.
Area of Science:
- Medical Ethics
- Sociology
- Gerontology
Background:
- End-of-life decisions involving life support are ethically complex.
- Cultural differences between patients and healthcare providers can impede communication.
- Understanding diverse attitudes toward foregoing life support is crucial for equitable care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the attitudes of older adults from diverse ethnic backgrounds toward life support.
- To explore cultural factors influencing end-of-life care preferences.
- To identify ethnic variations in the acceptance and personal desire for life support.
Main Methods:
- Survey of 800 adults (200 per group: European-American, African-American, Korean-American, Mexican-American) aged 65+.
- In-depth ethnographic interviews with 80 selected respondents.
- Statistical analysis of acceptance and personal desire for life support across ethnic groups.
Main Results:
- European-Americans were least likely to accept or want life support.
- Mexican-Americans were more positive about life support, believing it wouldn't be suggested if hopeless.
- Korean-Americans showed high acceptance but low personal desire, deferring decisions to family.
- African-Americans found withholding/withdrawing life support acceptable but most wanted to be kept alive, citing distrust in healthcare and ability to pay.
Conclusions:
- Ethnicity is strongly linked to attitudes and personal wishes regarding life support.
- These relationships are complex and sometimes contradictory.
- Cultural beliefs and healthcare system distrust significantly shape end-of-life preferences.