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Responders and non-responders in a study on medical end-of-life decisions in Denmark, the Netherlands, Sweden and Switzerland

Fischer, S ; Miccinesi, G ; Hornung, R ; Bosshard, G ; Deliens, L ; van der Heide, A ; Nilstun, Tore LU ; Norup, M and Onwuteaka-Philipsen, BD (2006) In Sozial- und Präventivmedizin 51(1). p.24-33
Abstract
Objectives: To determine the direction and magnitude of participation bias in end-of-life research. Methods: Within the framework of a European survey on medical end-of-life decisions, a non-response study was conducted among physicians in Denmark, the Netherlands, Sweden and Switzerland. People were asked about their attitudes and experiences in the area of medial end-of-life decision. The response rates ranged from 12.8% (Netherlands) to 39.4% (Switzerland). The responders (n = 5403) and the non-responders (n = 866) were compared regarding socio-demographic characteristics, experiences with terminal patients and agreement with attitudes towards "end-of-life decisions". The reasons for non-participation to the study were analyzed.... (More)
Objectives: To determine the direction and magnitude of participation bias in end-of-life research. Methods: Within the framework of a European survey on medical end-of-life decisions, a non-response study was conducted among physicians in Denmark, the Netherlands, Sweden and Switzerland. People were asked about their attitudes and experiences in the area of medial end-of-life decision. The response rates ranged from 12.8% (Netherlands) to 39.4% (Switzerland). The responders (n = 5403) and the non-responders (n = 866) were compared regarding socio-demographic characteristics, experiences with terminal patients and agreement with attitudes towards "end-of-life decisions". The reasons for non-participation to the study were analyzed. Results: Non-response did not cause socio-demographic distortion, but non-responders had statistically significantly fewer terminal patients than responders. Agreement rates were statistically significantly higher among responders than among non-responders for euthanasia, non-treatment decision and life-preserving statements. Neutral answers were statistically significantly more frequent among non-responders than among responders for life-preserving and euthanasia statements. The most commonly mentioned reason for non-participation was "lack of time". Conclusion: Non-participation does cause an overestimation of proponents of life-shortening, as well as of life-preserving end-of-life decisions. Non-responders more often have ambiguous attitudes towards end-of-life decisions than responders. (Less)
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author
; ; ; ; ; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
euthanasia, decisions, end-of-life, non-responder study, physicians, non-treatment
in
Sozial- und Präventivmedizin
volume
51
issue
1
pages
24 - 33
publisher
Frontiers Media S. A.
external identifiers
  • pmid:16898235
  • wos:000235374300005
  • scopus:31144459349
ISSN
0303-8408
DOI
10.1007/s00038-005-0004-x
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
d00ce875-f038-444b-8b6c-78f119a3f097 (old id 417329)
date added to LUP
2016-04-01 15:23:57
date last changed
2022-05-08 03:06:38
@article{d00ce875-f038-444b-8b6c-78f119a3f097,
  abstract     = {{Objectives: To determine the direction and magnitude of participation bias in end-of-life research. Methods: Within the framework of a European survey on medical end-of-life decisions, a non-response study was conducted among physicians in Denmark, the Netherlands, Sweden and Switzerland. People were asked about their attitudes and experiences in the area of medial end-of-life decision. The response rates ranged from 12.8% (Netherlands) to 39.4% (Switzerland). The responders (n = 5403) and the non-responders (n = 866) were compared regarding socio-demographic characteristics, experiences with terminal patients and agreement with attitudes towards "end-of-life decisions". The reasons for non-participation to the study were analyzed. Results: Non-response did not cause socio-demographic distortion, but non-responders had statistically significantly fewer terminal patients than responders. Agreement rates were statistically significantly higher among responders than among non-responders for euthanasia, non-treatment decision and life-preserving statements. Neutral answers were statistically significantly more frequent among non-responders than among responders for life-preserving and euthanasia statements. The most commonly mentioned reason for non-participation was "lack of time". Conclusion: Non-participation does cause an overestimation of proponents of life-shortening, as well as of life-preserving end-of-life decisions. Non-responders more often have ambiguous attitudes towards end-of-life decisions than responders.}},
  author       = {{Fischer, S and Miccinesi, G and Hornung, R and Bosshard, G and Deliens, L and van der Heide, A and Nilstun, Tore and Norup, M and Onwuteaka-Philipsen, BD}},
  issn         = {{0303-8408}},
  keywords     = {{euthanasia; decisions; end-of-life; non-responder study; physicians; non-treatment}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{1}},
  pages        = {{24--33}},
  publisher    = {{Frontiers Media S. A.}},
  series       = {{Sozial- und Präventivmedizin}},
  title        = {{Responders and non-responders in a study on medical end-of-life decisions in Denmark, the Netherlands, Sweden and Switzerland}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00038-005-0004-x}},
  doi          = {{10.1007/s00038-005-0004-x}},
  volume       = {{51}},
  year         = {{2006}},
}