HealthCetera: Cultural Perspectives on End-of-Life Decision-Making

Source: http://www.overgatehospice.org.uk/services-staff/dying-matters/

Our nation is beginning to shift its attitudes, beliefs and preferences around end of life care. Death cafes are popping up across the nation, payers are beginning to offer those with advanced illnesses the opportunity to receive end-of-life care in the hospital, home, hospice, or others setting and to pay for palliative care, which focuses on comfort and symptom management.

Some states have even passed laws supporting procedures for physician-assisted dying. But advocates in other states, like New York, continue to struggle meet staunch opposition to providing people with this choice in dying.

We are not a monolithic society. Differences in cultures and religious beliefs may lead us to take positions on policy issues that align with our own values, rather than support everyone being able to achieve their preferred approach to dying.

One researcher has been examining the role of culture and religion in how people approach end of life preferences and care. Nathan Boucher, DrPH, PA-C, is a Senior Fellow at the Duke University Center for the Study of Aging who recently published a paper in the Journal of Applied Gerontology on a study he conducted of the perspectives of Puerto Ricans and Dominicans on end-of-life decisions and the role of families.

On Thursday, July 14, HealthCetera producer and moderator Diana Mason, PhD, RN, interviews Dr. Boucher about his study and the role of culture in decision-making about death and dying.

So tune in at 1:00 to HealthCetera on WBAI, 88.5 FM in New York City or streaming at www.wbai.org.  Or you can listen to the interview anytime by clicking here:

HealthCetera is sponsored by the Center for Health, Media & Policy at Hunter College, City University of New York.

[caption id="attachment_11465" align="aligncenter" width="281"] Source: http://www.overgatehospice.org.uk/services-staff/dying-matters/[/caption] Our nation