Survey on death and dying in Hong Kong: attitudes, beliefs, and preferred end-of-life care

Soc Work Health Care. 2007;45(1):49-65. doi: 10.1300/J010v45n01_04.

Abstract

Social Workers in end-of-life and palliative care have a particular opportunity to ease the dying process by providing culturally appropriate services to the dying and their families. In today's multicultural social environment, with an ever-increasing immigrant population, social workers are challenged to be knowledgeable about diverse cultures. Recently, a forum of health care professionals and social workers in Hong Kong conducted a survey of the general population to assess death and dying attitudes, beliefs, and preferences for end-of-life care. Four-hundred-thirty Hong Kong Chinese participated in a telephone interview. Responses were compared by gender. The survey results not only contribute to an understanding of Hong Kong Chinese, but can inform social workers who practice with Chinese immigrants to the United States.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Attitude to Death / ethnology*
  • Attitude to Health / ethnology*
  • Choice Behavior
  • Cultural Diversity
  • Emigration and Immigration
  • Employment
  • Female
  • Gender Identity
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Health Status
  • Hong Kong
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Marital Status
  • Middle Aged
  • Needs Assessment
  • Social Work / organization & administration
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Terminal Care / organization & administration
  • Terminal Care / psychology*