Q&A Ethics and Integrity Case Study Q. Supreme Court recently referred the issue of passive euthanasia to a 5-judge constitution bench.Policy of the government is not to allow euthanasia . Several physicians expressed concern they would be required to continue to treat a patient when the opinion of the medical team is that further treatment is futile. Some feel that to continue to treat in this situation can actually result in harm to the patient and others feel these decisions are rightfully left up to the patient’s family. You are currently caring for a patient who was in a serious motor vehicle accident and continues to be supported by life support with little chance of recovery. The family visits with the patient daily, grieving and very upset. You have moved the idea of discontinuing support with family members and they still hold out hope that there be recovery. How can you balance the need to care for a grieving family with the medical opinion that there is almost no chance of recovery? Answer Clinicians may view the situation from a rational and objective point of view, but it is not appropriate to expect the family to do the same. Compassionate and effective approach is one that includes a willingness to allow as much time as necessary for the family to come to terms with their loss. Clinicians can assist by informing the families to resources inside and outside the healthcare system. While ICU beds are costly and resource-intensive, the cost and resource-intensiveness of litigation, not to mention the emotional toll on all those involved, is likely far greater than taking the weeks or months that may be required to arrive at a decision that is acceptable to all.
Posted on: Wed, 05 Nov 2014 14:55:13 +0000
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