Events

CHAIRPERSON

Dr Connor Graham, Asia Research Institute, and Tembusu College, National University of Singapore

ABSTRACT

The dilemma of whether to allow family members to be present during resuscitation has been debated in different academic and cultural settings. There is a fairly well populated literature on the topic, including original studies, opinion pieces, and guidelines. Even though current evidence, echoed in professional guidelines, support family presence during resuscitation (FPDR), it is not widely implemented. Few have examined the issue in the context of Asian traditions and cultures. The little data that exist suggest that although Asian family members prefer witnessing family members and significant others undergoing resuscitation, healthcare professionals in Asia tend to oppose FPDR, and consequently, it is not standard practice. In what follows, we will first provide a review of the literature, focusing on research done in Asia. Second, we will discuss some of the ethical complexities regarding the issue from an Asian standpoint. Lastly, we will provide normative claims to support FPDR, and offer some potential directions for further research to support these in the Asian context. Our goal is twofold: making a case for FPDR, and using the current status of FPDR in Asia to challenge the oft cited value differences in medical practice between Eastern and Western cultures.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Zohar Lederman holds a philosophy degree from the Open University of Israel and an MD degree from the University of Pavia in Italy. He is currently a PhD candidate at the Centre for Biomedical Ethics at the National University of Singapore. His dissertation focuses on the ethics of One Health and culling as a public health measure. His other areas of interest include family presence during CPR, end-of-life care, public health ethics, the dual loyalty dilemma, and ethics of infectious diseases. Zohar is also a co-editor of Intima, an online journal of medical narrative.

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