Doctors' Religious Beliefs Can Affect End-Of-Life Care

LONDON — Doctors who are atheist or agnostic are twice as likely to make decisions that could end the lives of their terminally ill patients, compared to doctors who are very religious, according to a new study in Britain.

Dr. Clive Seale, a professor at Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, conducted a random mail survey of more than 3,700 doctors across Britain, of whom 2,923 reported on how they took care of their last terminal patient.

Many of the doctors surveyed were neurologists, doctors specializing in the care of the elderly, and palliative care, though other specialists like family doctors, were also included.

Doctors who described themselves as "extremely" or "very nonreligious" were nearly twice as likely to report having made decisions like providing continuous deep sedation, which could accelerate a patient's death.

To ensure doctors are acting in accordance with their patients' wishes, Seale wrote that "nonreligious doctors should confess their predilections to their patients."

Seale also found that doctors who were religious were much less likely to have talked about end of life treatment decisions with their patients.

According to guidelines from the British Medical Association, doctors must not allow their religious beliefs to interfere with their treatment of patients.

"Whatever your personal beliefs may be...you must be respectful of the patient's dignity and views," the association says.

The guidelines also recommend that when patients are unable to communicate their wishes, doctors must not simply rely on their own values, but that they "should take all reasonable steps to maximize the patient's ability to participate in the decision-making process."

The study was paid for by Britain's National Council for Palliative Care and was published online Thursday in the Journal of Medical Ethics.

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Online:

http://www.jme.bmj.com

Comments

[JohnKelly]

11:33 AM on 09/12/2010

So I guess doctors who are super religious are more likely to prolong your torture if you are in severe pain at the end of your life then. Duh! The quality of life is far more important to the non-superstitious than the sustaining of life just because there is a heart beat....

John

[DuckPhup]

04:15 PM on 08/28/2010

"Doctors who are ATHEIST OR AGNOSTIC are twice as likely to make decisions that could END THE LIVES OF their terminally ill PATIENTS of patients, compared to doctors who are very religious, […]."

There's a 'Cold War' anecdote that resonates with this, about a boxing competition between the United States and the Soviet Union, which was staged as a part of the ongoing efforts to ease tensions and promote friendship. The Soviets were resoundingly defeated… but back in the USSR, it was reported that in an 'international boxing competition', the Soviets came in 2nd… and the Americans came in 'next-to-last'. They neglected to mention that there were only two teams in the competition.

Suppose we were to add THIS..."BECAUSE they have discussed end-of-life situation, options and care with their patients, and involved them in the decision-making process"... to the opening paragraph?

The KIND of decision-making that we're talking about here boils-down to this: "Should we allow you to fully immerse yourself in the experience of prolonged pain and suffering that typically accompanies the passing of someone in your condition?… or would you prefer that we ease your passing by seeing to your comfort, and minimize your suffering during the time that remains?"

This study is telling us that 'atheist and agnostic' doctors will usually ASK you such questions, and give you an opportunity to MAKE such decisions… but 'religious' doctors WON'T.

[Bibbo]

12:29 PM on 09/07/2010

No . The truth is that non-religious MD's are an example of what Pope John paul II meant when he warned of the "culture of death". When all pain and suffering..note...not a terminal patient mind you but any patient who decided life is not worth it...then the culture of death encouages them to claim their right to euthanasia. I work in a hospital and I see countless patients who are not terminal but rather chronically ill are encouaged to sign a do not resusitate order. This often is a cue to even forgo antibiotics and other simple life saving measures due to "quality of life" issues. The worst offenders are ICU hospital employeed MD's. They are encouaged to keep costs and length of stay down in the ICU. I have seen this and it's happening now..sept 7th 2010.

[boston54321]

10:03 PM on 09/10/2010

If extremely religious doctors should identify themselves (neon badges?), shouldn't devout believers have to do the same? I'll wear the neon badge if they wear pointy hats... Or perhaps the reader who quotes the Pope has alternative wardrobe / ID suggestions. You'll find that us atheists are flexible. FYI : a DNR order and withdrawal of care are two different things.

[Jimmy B]

01:11 PM on 09/15/2010

Do not resuscitate does not mean do not treat, we do not withold any treatment from those with a DNR until the time their heart stops beating, patients can however opt for comfort only measures which make dying less torturous but not prolonged. You state that you work in a hospital, by your comments you are a janitor until proved otherwise.
Myself