The implementation of a living will can give rise to ethical dilemmas for the patient's family and the health care professionals involved. The case reported here raises questions about the right of patients to self-determination, the importance of quality-of-life considerations in treatment decisions and physicians' obligations with respect to the implementation of living wills. Physicians should ensure in advance that the instructions set out in a living will are unambiguous and should bring to the patient's attention any ethical difficulties that they foresee in carrying out those instructions.
Notes
Cites: Lancet. 1972 Apr 1;1(7753):734-74111204
Cites: J Am Geriatr Soc. 1995 Jun;43(6):716-77775737
Cites: JAMA. 1990 Oct 10;264(14):1846-532402044
Cites: N Engl J Med. 1991 Mar 28;324(13):882-82000110
Cites: CMAJ. 1992 Jun 1;146(11):1937-441596842
Cites: Ann Intern Med. 1992 Aug 1;117(3):254-61616221