The decision to discontinue hemodialysis

The patient who wishes to discontinue chronic hemodialysis poses a complex dilemma that crosses both ethical and psychiatric boundaries, but clearly demonstrates the role of the liaison psychiatrist in clarifying issues of diagnosis and informed consent. This paper presents an edited transcript of a clinical case conference where a 72-year-old man reviews his reasons for demanding that hemodialysis be discontinued. Issues of differential diagnosis and the question of autonomy and free will are discussed in the context of the tasks for the liaison psychiatrist.