Differences in Terminal Hospitalization Care Between U.S. Men and Women

Abstract

Men who die in hospitals receive more aggressive care than women. Further research should examine potential causes of this overall pattern.

Gender Disparities in End of Life Care: A Scoping Review

“…Living Situation: Studies appraised showed women were less likely married, more likely to be widowed and more likely to be living alone at the end of life. 30,31,34 This is in keeping with demographic trends, in that women outlive men and tend to be older at the end of life. 31,32 However, this longevity did not translate into well-being, as many chronic diseases and chronic pain conditions were more prevalent among women.…”

“…30,31,34 This is in keeping with demographic trends, in that women outlive men and tend to be older at the end of life. 31,32 However, this longevity did not translate into well-being, as many chronic diseases and chronic pain conditions were more prevalent among women. 5 Oftentimes women were left alone at the end of life after having expended much time, energy, and resources to care for spouses and help them have a good death, leaving these women without a spouse and with fewer resources as they approached death.…”

“…12,14,[19][20][21] Women also had shorter hospitalizations, and were more likely to die in nursing homes rather than at home. 5,31,32 This finding appeared to be related to women's greater willingness to accept formal care so as not to be a burden on family members, 3,5,6,8,15,18 coupled with more limited possibilities for informal care after outliving their spouses. 31,32 4.…”

“…5,31,32 This finding appeared to be related to women's greater willingness to accept formal care so as not to be a burden on family members, 3,5,6,8,15,18 coupled with more limited possibilities for informal care after outliving their spouses. 31,32 4. Care Preferences: More women tended to have a 'do not resuscitate' (DNR) order in place and, compared with men, fewer received care in an ICU.…”

The emerging partnership between palliative care and stroke

“…Prior studies have shown that many patient (sex, ethnicity, comorbidities, insurance status) and health system (bed size, urban/rural location, tax status) characteristics affect how stroke patients are treated at the end of life. 4 We should accept some degree of variation in the process of shared decision-making to explain these differences. This variation may include differences in patient and surrogate preferences as well as differences in patient-centered communication skills, including clinicians' ability to prognosticate and elicit values and preferences.…”