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Ethical Issues in End‐of‐Life Geriatric Care: The Approach of Three Monotheistic Religions—Judaism, Catholicism, and Islam
Author(s) -
Clarfield A. Mark,
Gordon Michael,
Markwell Hazel,
Alibhai Shabbir M. H.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
journal of the american geriatrics society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.992
H-Index - 232
eISSN - 1532-5415
pISSN - 0002-8614
DOI - 10.1046/j.1532-5415.2003.51364.x
Subject(s) - judaism , islam , medicine , christianity , normative , religious studies , multiculturalism , geriatric care , end of life care , ethical issues , medical ethics , nursing , theology , engineering ethics , philosophy , epistemology , palliative care , psychiatry , engineering
Ethical dilemmas pervade modern geriatric medicine. What is considered right or wrong will differ depending on, among other things, the patient's religion. The three Abrahamic monotheistic religions, Judaism, Christianity (its Catholic variant), and Islam all have carefully considered positions on medical ethics. Although much is held in common, there are significant differences. The authors present three clinical cases, each of which presents ethical dilemmas typical of geriatric care, especially at the end of life. On the basis of these scenarios, the normative ethical position of each religion is compared and contrasted. It is hoped that this approach will offer the geriatrician a useful approach to treating patients in an increasingly multicultural society.