Ethical Challenges in Multi-Cultural Patient Care: Cross Cultural Issues at the End of Life

Description

This book provides an up-to-date description of cross-cultural aspects of end-of-life decision-making. The work places this discussion in the context of developments in the United States such as the emphasis on patient informed consent, “right to die” legal cases, and the federal Patient Self-Determination Act. With the globalization of health care and increased immigration from developing to developed countries, health care professionals are experiencing unique challenges in communicating with seriously ill patients and their families about treatment options as well as counselling all patients about advance medical care planning. While many Western countries emphasize individual autonomy and patient-centered decision-making, cultures with a greater collectivist orientation have, historically, often protected patients from negative health information and emphasized family-centered decision-making. In order to place these issues in context, the history of informed consent in medicine is reviewed. Additionally, cross-cultural issues in health care decision-making are analysed from the perspective of multiple philosophical theories including deontology, utilitarianism, virtues, principlism, and communitarian ethics. This book is a valuable addition to courses on end-of-life care, death and dying, cross-cultural health, medical anthropology, and medical ethics and an indispensable guide for healthcare workers dealing with patients coming from various cultural backgrounds. Front Matter ....Pages i-vii History and Background of End-of-Life Decision-Making and Culture (H. Russell Searight)....Pages 1-13 Ethical Theories Applied to End-of-Life Medical Care (H. Russell Searight)....Pages 15-27 A History of Physician “Truth Telling,” Informed Consent, Legal and Religious Perspectives on End-of-Life Care (H. Russell Searight)....Pages 29-44 Whether and How to Inform Patients of “Bad News,” Family Dynamics at the End of Life (H. Russell Searight)....Pages 45-63 Advance Directives, Do Not Resuscitate Orders, Hospice, Organ Transplantation and Physician Assisted Suicide (H. Russell Searight)....Pages 65-83 Why Is There Such Diversity in Preferences for End-of-Life Care? Explanations and Narratives (H. Russell Searight)....Pages 85-99 Conclusion: Continuing Changes in Marriage and Family; Supporting Diverse Perspectives on End-of-Life Decision-Making (H. Russell Searight)....Pages 101-107