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Related Experiment Videos

Terminating life-sustaining treatment--recent US developments.

R D Mackay1

  • 1Dickinson School of Law, Pennsylvania.

Journal of Medical Ethics
|September 1, 1988
PubMed
Summary
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Recent US court decisions favor patient autonomy in withdrawing food and hydration. However, disputes between healthcare providers and patients regarding life-sustaining treatment termination persist, with courts likely remaining final arbiters.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Ethics and Law
  • Bioethics
  • Healthcare Policy

Background:

  • Litigation concerning the withdrawal of food and hydration from patients.
  • Competent and incompetent patient rights in end-of-life care.
  • Tensions between healthcare providers and patients regarding life-sustaining treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent US litigation on withdrawing artificial nutrition and hydration.
  • To analyze judicial trends regarding patient autonomy and end-of-life decisions.
  • To explore the ongoing conflict between healthcare facilities and patients' end-of-life wishes.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent court decisions in the United States.
  • Analysis of legal arguments and judicial reasoning in patient autonomy cases.
Keywords:
Analytical ApproachDeath and EuthanasiaLegal ApproachProfessional Patient Relationship

Related Experiment Videos

  • Examination of disputes over termination of life-sustaining treatment.

    • Main Results:

    • A discernible trend favoring patient autonomy in decisions to withdraw food and hydration.
    • Persistent underlying tensions between medical professionals, healthcare facilities, and dying patients.
    • Court decisions highlight the complexity and lack of easy resolution in these cases.

    Conclusions:

    • US courts are likely to continue serving as the ultimate decision-makers in life-sustaining treatment termination disputes.
    • The legal landscape reflects an ongoing societal debate on balancing patient rights with medical practice.
    • Further legal and ethical considerations are necessary to address these complex end-of-life care conflicts.