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Journal of Aging and Health
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Article

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

Peter H. Van Ness*, Virginia R. Towle, John R. O'Leary, and Terri R. Fried

* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: peter.vanness{at}yale.edu.


  Abstract
Objectives: 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.

First published on April 28, 2008, doi:10.1177/0898264308317538

Journal of Aging and Health 2008;20:545.

A more recent version of this article appeared on August 1, 2008

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