Religion, Risk, and Medical Decision Making at the End of Life

Overview

Journal J Aging Health

Publisher Sage Publications

Specialty Geriatrics

Date 2008 Apr 30

PMID 18443144

Citations 7

Authors

Peter H Van Ness

Virginia R Towle

John R OLeary

Terri R Fried

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study is to present empirical evidence about whether religious patients are more or less willing to undergo the risks associated with potentially life-sustaining treatment.

Methods: At least every 4 months 226 older community-dwelling persons with advanced cancer, congestive heart failure, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were asked questions about several dimensions of religiousness and about their willingness to accept potentially life-sustaining treatment.

Results: Results were mixed but persons who said that during their illness they grew closer to God (odds ratio [OR] = 1.79; 95% confidence intervals [CI] = 1.15, 2.78) or those grew spiritually (OR = 1.61; 95% CI = 1.03, 2.52) were more willing to accept risk associated with potentially life-sustaining treatment than were persons who did not report such growth.

Discussion: Not all dimensions of religiousness have the same association with willingness to undergo potentially life-sustaining treatment. Seriously ill older, religious patients are not especially predisposed to avoid risk and resist treatment.

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