The law, professional responsibility, and decisions to forego treatment

Medical technology can delay the moment of death for nearly every adult patient. Thus matters that were once the province of fate are now matters of human choice--the choice to withhold or withdraw treatment. The quality and appropriateness of care rendered in situations in which a question arises about foregoing treatment will be ensured only if the interests and rights of all persons involved are understood and respected. The article identifies the various types of situations in which such questions may arise, discusses the general legal principles applicable to each situation, and offers principles and procedures that providers could follow to handle the problems that often accompany a decision to forego treatment.