研究人员收集了医生与非医护人员的数据样本,旨在比对两者在临终时接受的陪护情况.
They examined the medical records of people aged 66 or older who died between 2004 and 2011 in Massachusetts, Michigan, Utah and Vermont.
他们收集了马萨诸塞、密歇根、犹他与佛蒙特四州2004至2011年66岁（含）以上人口的医疗记录.
Researchers concluded doctors were less likely to die in a hospital compared with the general population - 28 percent versus 32 percent.
研究结论是,与普罗大众相比,医生死于医院病榻的几率较小.前者达32%,后者为28%.
They were also less likely to have surgery - 25 percent versus 27 percent - and were less likely to be admitted to intensive care - 26 percent versus 28 percent.
另外,医生接受手术,或需接受重症监护的几率也更低,分别为25%与26%.相较之下,普罗大众的几率则达27%与28%.
The authors wrote: 'The possible reasons physicians received less intense end-of-life care than others could be knowledge of its burdens and futility, as well as the benefits and the financial resources to pay for other treatment options, such as palliative care or skilled nursing required for death at home.'
研究人员写道："医生较少接受临终重症监护,或许因为他们明白此举徒劳无功,也可能因为他们更偏爱,且负担得起安宁护理、家庭陪护等其他方式."
Addressing the issue, Dr Jacquelyn Corley said: 'There comes a time for every person when his or her identity is gone, and the quality of life should be valued more than the mere presence of it.'
谈到临终陪护问题,杰奎琳·科利博士总结道："人到晚年,还谈什么身份不身份的.如何走得安详宁静,才是最值得关心的."
That, she said is a view shared by many healthcare professionals.
她说,这一点,许多医护人员都心知肚明.
英文来源：每日邮报
