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KMID : 0614420110380010005
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Mental Health & Social Work
2011 Volume.38 No. 1 p.5 ~ p.30
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Attitude toward Forgoing Life-Sustaining Treatment among Cancer Patient Families
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Chang Chi-Young
Kim Yong-Seok
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Abstract
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There has been much debate on the issue of withholding life-sustaining medical cares for the terminal cancer patients. This study investigates what affects the DNR (Do-Not-Resuscitate) decision in terms of family traits which might be a decisive factor for the decision in Korea. Because traditionally family members usually make the DNR decision which is considered a part of the decision on withholding life-sustaining medical cares. Thus, the goal of this study is to find out which family traits are linked to their attitude toward the DNR by seeing traits of cancer patients’ family members and their attitude toward withholding life-sustaining medical cares. Furthermore, this study also show how their traits affect their attitude toward the DNR decision. To establish and verify the research which is based on these topics, this study collected data by survey research through interviewing the total number of 168 main caregivers of cancer patients who are being treated in Oncology of St. Vincent’s Hospital in Suwon. Considering family traits, the result shows that their economic burden as well as their high education can make them decide to accept DNR. This result is consistent with previous works, verifying that the feeling of economic burden is an important factor for the caregivers to make the DNR decision. This can bring up an ethical issue in the point that there is possibility for caregivers just to make the DNR decision under
the pressure of the economic burden without thinking of their patients’ medical condition. Therefore, evaluation and intervention of a medical social worker for their socioeconomic status should be necessary in the process of the DNR ecision. And virtually, education programs and team approach should be offered to the patients and their family members
for their right decision on withholding life-sustaining medical cares.
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KEYWORD
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withdrawal of Life sustaining treatment, DNR, cancer patient families
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Listed journal information
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