Multi-Cultural Issues in Advance Directives

Abstract

•Understand how diverse cultural and religious beliefs may, in the context of an advance directive, come into conflict with traditional American concepts of self-determination and patient participation in health care decision-making. •Describe specific ways in which differing cultural perspectives may influence what actually happens to terminally ill patients. •Explain how, in American culture, alternative living arrangements and “domestic partners” may complicate issues of surrogacy.