Most people can be good samaritans NEW YORK, Feb. 9 (UPI)
--A survey of U.S. doctors and the general public has found 98 percent of bothgroups said they would stop to help accident victims.
The survey, of 1,027 physicians and 1,435 members of the public nationwide,was conducted by the Louis Finkelstein Institute for Religious and Social Studies and HCD Research.
The surveyors gave participants in the two groups an accident scenario -- a driver swerving to avoid a wild animal crashes into a tree -- and then asked whether they would stop to help.
Generally, support for compassionate behavior was uniformly strong across all political and religious groups, they said. Political or religious affiliation made no significant difference in the willingness of doctors andthe public to help people in distress.
They also found 99 percent of those who attend worship services weekly and 98 percent of those who never attend services were willing to help.
The public should find comfort in the fact that, fear of lawsuits and personal risk not withstanding, so many doctors and fellow citizens are ready to act as Good Samaritans, said Alan Mittleman, director of the institute.
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