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Influence Of Physicians' Life-Stance On Attitudes Towards End-Of-Life Decisions And Actual End-Of-Life Decision-Making In Six Countries, Joachim Cohen, J Van Delden, Freddy Mortier, Rurik Lofmark, Michael Norup, Colleen Cartwright, Karin Faisst, C Canova, J Bilsen

Professor Colleen M Cartwright

Aim: To examine how physicians’ life stances affect their attitudes to end-of-life decisions and their actual end-of-life decision-making. Methods: Practising physicians from various specialties involved in the care of dying patients in Belgium, Denmark, The Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland and Australia received structured questionnaires on end-of-life care, which included questions about their life stance. Response rates ranged from 53% in Australia to 68% in Denmark. General attitudes, intended behaviour with respect to two hypothetical patients, and actual behaviour were compared between all large life-stance groups in each country. Results: Only small differences in life stance were found in all countries in …