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[Dialogs on death]
Helga Hansdóttir1, Sigrídur Halldórsdóttir
1Department of Geriatrics, Iceland University Hospital, Landakoti, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland. helgah@landspitali.is
Laeknabladid
|September 2, 2005
Summary
Elderly individuals view life and death positively, accepting limitations on life-prolonging treatment. Their end-of-life treatment decisions consider personal values, loved ones, and life experiences.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Bioethics
- Sociology
Background:
- Understanding elderly perspectives on life, death, and end-of-life treatment is crucial for patient-centered care.
- Previous studies highlight the importance of life and death views in treatment decisions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine elderly individuals' views on life, death, and end-of-life treatment.
- To understand how these views influence treatment choices.
Main Methods:
- Phenomenological study involving open-ended interviews with eight Icelandic individuals aged 70+.
- Emphasis placed on participants' views toward life and death.
Main Results:
- Participants reported a good life despite loss, with an accepting attitude towards death.
- Consensus on limiting life-prolonging treatment under specific conditions (e.g., no hope of recovery, suffering, compromised abilities, burden to others).
- Attitudes toward end-of-life treatment were based on likely outcomes, life evaluation, impact on loved ones, and experiences of loss.
Conclusions:
- A model for physician-patient end-of-life discussions is proposed, emphasizing ethical and cultural contexts.
- Patient evaluation involves personal life views, age, health, and consideration of loved ones.
- Collective decision-making in end-of-life treatment is supported, integrating ethical, medical, and personal factors.