K.E. Olive 1 , J.K. Neumann 2 ; 1 East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN; 2 James H. Quillen VA Medical Center, Mountain Home, TN PURPOSE: A previous study indicated that the absolute vs relative ethical construct is a factor influencing physician decisions. The purpose of this study was to confirm, in a different physician population, the previous results Ð that physicians who believe in ethical values which do not change (absolute values) will respond differently to ethically sensitive clinical scenarios than those who affirm changing ethical values (relative values). METHODS: A national sample of family physicians and psychiatrists received a mailed survey. The survey included a four-item scale to determine relative vs absolute values, demographic and psychological measures, and three clinical scenarios involving contraception, physician-assisted suicide, and abortion. The primary analysis compared approval of the clinical scenarios for physicians with absolute values to those with relative values. Approval ratings were determined using a seven point Likert-type scale (1=do not approve, 7=do approve). Data were analyzed using analysis of variance. RESULTS: 317 of 1000 physicians surveyed (32%) responded. Of those responding, 99 met criteria for absolute values and 59 for relative values. Those endorsing absolute values were significantly less approving of all three scenarios than those endorsing relative values: Contraception (5.5 vs 6.4, F=10.17, p=.0017), Physician Assisted Suicide ( 2.1 vs 4.1, F=36.22, p < .00001), Abortion (3.0 vs 5.0, F=28.45, p < .00001). CONCLUSION: Physicians with absolute ethical values are less approving of contraception for single women, physician-assisted suicide, and abortion than those endorsing relative ethical values. The absolute vs relative values ethical construct may be useful in examining physician attitudes which impact health care delivery. These survey results replicate a previous study indicating the absolute vs ethical construct is a factor influencing physician decisions. This construct is directly relevant to clinical care and physicians need to be aware of their own biases in discussions with patients, families, and other health care providers.