Where are the women in end-of-life research?

This article reviews research on attitudes towards, and the practice of, hastening death. The central aim of this review is to elucidate what is known about the role played by gender in shaping the behaviours of people in the diverse roles of healthcare provider, carer, and patient. It is concluded that, on the whole, researchers have neglected to acknowledge gender differences in the experience of dying. Also lacking is carefully conducted research which is contextualised so that the dying person is better understood as a member of society rather than an isolated individual.