Brief Description: This study surveys a nationally representative sample of physicans to describe their attitudes and practices regarding an array of complex issues in end of life care. Subjects covered include recommending curative vs. palliative treatment goals, withdrawing life sustaining technology, use of artificial nutrition and hydration, judgments about quality of life, responding to surrogate decisions, and sedation of the dying to unconsciousness. Funding: This work was funded by grants from the John Templeton Foundation and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (1 K23 AT002749, to Dr. Curlin).

Methodology:

Methods Report

Survey

Published Papers:

• Putman MS, Yoon JD, Rasinski KA, Curlin FA. Intentional Sedation to Unconsciousness at the End of Life: Findings from a National Survey. J Pain and Symptom Management. 2013;46(3):326-34.
• Wolenberg KM, Yoon JD, Rasinski KA, Curlin FA. Religion and United States Physicians’ Opinions and Self-Predicted Practices Concerning Artificial Nutrition and Hydration. J Relig Health 2013;52(4):1051-65.
• Combs MP, Rasinski KA, Yoon JD, Curlin FA. Substituted Judgment in Principle and Practice: A National Physician Survey. Mayo Clinic Proceedings. 2013; 88(7):666-673.
• Smyre CL, Yoon JD, Rasinski KA, Curlin FA. Limits and responsibilities of physicians addressing spiritual suffering in terminally ill patients. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management. 2015;49(3):562-9.
• Ayeh DD, Tak HJ, Yoon JD, Curlin FA. US Physicians’ Opinions about Accommodating Religiously Based Requests for Continued Life-Sustaining Treatment. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management. 2016 Jun;51(6):971-8.
• Chung GS, Yoon JD, Rasinski KA, Curlin FA. US Physicians’ Opinions about Distinctions between Withdrawing and Withholding Life-Sustaining Treatment. Journal of Religion and Health. 2016 Oct;55(5):1596-606.
• Yoon JD, Hunt NB, Ravella KC, Jun CS, Curlin FA. Physician Burnout and the Calling to Care for the Dying: A National Survey. Am J Hosp Palliat Care. 2016 July 27 [Epub ahead of print].
• Putman MS, Tak HJ, Curlin FA, Yoon JD. Quality of life and recommendations for further care. Crit Care Med. 2016 July 15 [Epub ahead of print].
• Prochaska MT, Putman MS, Tak HJ, Yoon JD, Curlin FA. US Physicians Overwhelmingly Endorse Hospice as the Better Option for Most Patients at the End of Life. 2016 Feb 26 [Epub ahead of print].
• Putman MS, D’Allesandro A, Curlin FA, Yoon JD. Unilateral Do Not Resuscitate Orders: Physician Attitudes and Practices. Chest. 2017; July 152(1):224-225.
• Stavig A, Tak HJ, Yoon JD, Curlin FA. Taking societal cost into clinical consideration: U.S. physicians’ views. AJOB Empirical Bioethics. 2018 Aug 30:1-8. doi: 10.1080/23294515.2018.1498408. [Epub ahead of print]
• Frush BW, Brauer SG, Yoon JD, Curlin FA. Physician Decision-Making in the Setting of Advanced Illness: An Examination of Patient Disposition and Physician Religiousness. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management. 2018;55(3):906-912
• Smyre CL, Tak HJ, Dang AP, Curlin FA, Yoon JD. Physicians’ Opinions on Engaging Patients’ Religious and Spiritual Concerns: A National Survey. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management. 2018;55(3):897-905.
• Thompson K, Tak HJ, El-Din M, Madani S, Brauer SG, Yoon JD. Physicians’ perceptions of religion at the end-of-life and their comfort in discussing death: A national survey. American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. 2018 Aug 5:1049909118792871.