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Medical Ethics Advisor – May 1, 2005
May 1, 2005
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Debate over Schiavo and PVS: Will — and should — anything change?
The physician who first described the persistent vegetative state (PVS) watched in deep dismay at the struggle over the fate of perhaps the most famous PVS patient, Terri Schiavo. -
Religious views of Schiavo case vary
While Catholic clergy were perhaps the most vocal religious voices during the controversy over Terri Schiavos life and death, all major religions emphasize the preservation of life. Where standpoints vary, even within religions, is on the question of how long to prolong life. -
Conflict resolution: Keep patients’ needs in mind
Some conflicts among families of terminally ill patients or patients in vegetative states cannot be resolved, says an expert in doctor-patient communications, but much can be done before the conflict rises to the level of that in the family of Terri Schiavo. -
Making your wishes known: Living wills not ironclad
As a 26-year-old woman, Terri Schiavo likely never imagined she would abruptly fall into a vegetative state that would put decisions about her health care into the courts and the public eye for a decade. But simply assuming that an advance directive or living will would have prevented the family battles that raged over the decision to withdraw the artificial nutrition keeping her alive might be misguided, experts say. -
Take care in terminating relationship with patients
Patients who are noncompliant, unpleasant, or troublesome give physicians frequent opportunities to consider terminating their physician-patient relationships.