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01-01-2007 | Original

Attitudes of European physicians, nurses, patients, and families regarding end-of-life decisions: the ETHICATT study

Authors: Charles L. Sprung, Sara Carmel, Peter Sjokvist, Mario Baras, Simon L. Cohen, Paulo Maia, Albertus Beishuizen, Daniel Nalos, Ivan Novak, Mia Svantesson, Julie Benbenishty, Beverly Henderson, ETHICATT Study Group

Published in: Intensive Care Medicine | Issue 1/2007

Abstract

Objective

To evaluate attitudes of Europeans regarding end-of-life decisions.

Design and setting

Responses to a questionnaire by physicians and nurses working in ICUs, patients who survived ICU, and families of ICU patients in six European countries were compared for attitudes regarding quality and value of life, ICU treatments, active euthanasia, and place of treatment.

Measurements and results

Questionnaires were distributed to 4,389 individuals and completed by 1,899 (43%). Physicians (88%) and nurses (87%) found quality of life more important and value of life less important in their decisions for themselves than patients (51%) and families (63%). If diagnosed with a terminal illness, health professionals wanted fewer ICU admissions, uses of CPR, and ventilators (21%, 8%, 10%, respectively) than patients and families (58%, 49%, 44%, respectively). More physicians (79%) and nurses (61%) than patients (58%) and families (48%) preferred being home or in a hospice if they had a terminal illness with only a short time to live.

Conclusions

Quality of life was more important for physicians and nurses than patients and families. More medical professionals want fewer ICU treatments and prefer being home or in a hospice for a terminal illness than patients and families.

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Title: Attitudes of European physicians, nurses, patients, and families regarding end-of-life decisions: the ETHICATT study
Authors: Charles L. Sprung
Sara Carmel
Peter Sjokvist
Mario Baras
Simon L. Cohen
Paulo Maia
Albertus Beishuizen
Daniel Nalos
Ivan Novak
Mia Svantesson
Julie Benbenishty
Beverly Henderson
ETHICATT Study Group
Publication date: 01-01-2007
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Intensive Care Medicine / Issue 1/2007
Print ISSN: 0342-4642
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1238
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00134-006-0405-1

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Springer Medicine

Attitudes of European physicians, nurses, patients, and families regarding end-of-life decisions: the ETHICATT study

Abstract

Objective

Design and setting

Measurements and results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objective

Design and setting

Measurements and results

Conclusions

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