Limiting the Role of the Family in Discontinuation of Life Sustaining Treatment
Creator
Puri, Vinod K.
Weber, Leonard J.
Bibliographic Citation
Journal of Medical Humanities. 1990 Summer; 11(2): 91-98.
Abstract
In matters of discontinuation of life-sustaining treatment, traditional role of the family to speak on behalf of the incompetent patient is questionable. We explore the reasons why physicians perceive patient autonomy to be transferrable to family members. Principle of patient autonomy may not suffice when futile treatment is demanded and may serve to erode the ethical integrity of medical profession. An enhanced role for bioethics committees is proposed when physicians propose to discontinue life-sustaining treatment against the wishes of the patient or their families.
Date
1990Subject
Allowing to Die; Autonomy; Beneficence; Bioethics; Clinical Ethics; Clinical Ethics Committees; Decision Making; Ethics; Ethics Committees; Family Members; Futility; Health; Health Facilities; Life; Moral Policy; Patients; Persistent Vegetative State; Physicians; Privacy; Prolongation of Life; Withholding Treatment;
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Limiting the Role of the Family in Discontinuation of Life Sustaining Treatment
Puri, Vinod K. and Weber, Leonard J. (1990-06)