INDIVIDUAL-DIFFERENCES AND SURROGATE MEDICAL DECISIONS - DIFFERING PREFERENCES FOR LIFE-SUSTAINING TREATMENTS

This study examines the relationships between patient characteristics and surrogate decision maker characteristics on surrogates' preference s for life-sustaining treatments. Caucasian and African-American careg ivers and noncaregivers (n = 110) responded to a vignette involving a medical crisis in a hospitalized older man who suffered cardiac arrest , one of the most common causes of death among older Americans. This m an was described as either a cognitively intact or moderately demented family member. Participants made decisions regarding cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), CPR and ventilation, and CPR and tube feeding. An alyses followed a 2 (cognitive status) x 2 (caregiving status) x 2 (ra cial background) analysis of covariance design, with education and inc ome used as covariates. In general, participants were less likely to i nitiate life-sustaining treatments in demented patients. Caucasian car egivers were less likely to initiate CPR and ventilation and CPR and t ube feeding. Results indicate that characteristics of the patient and the interplay between cultural issues and experience with caregiving a ffect surrogate judgements regarding life-sustaining treatments.