If you were a M.D. would you put patients out of their pain or extend their life and hope to find a cure?

Answer 1

Im a M.D and i say to extend their life and hope to find a cure because even though this one person can die think of the thousands we can save with the cure and time.

Answer 2

I think if I were an MD I would try to keep them alive in the hopes of finding a cure. That would be the reason I went into medicine in the first place!! To help people, not kill them.

But, as was pointed out before - it would ultimately be up to the patient or their family. Someone in that much pain may want some relief - and death may seem like the only option to them. I would hope that they would fight to the end.....but, as I said, that much pain.....

In my country, we've actually had cases where doctors take people off life support without asking the family of the person. And worst yet, instances where the doctor more of less "killed" the person to make room for his (the doctor's) family/friends. The joys of living in a third-world country.....

So, back to the question, it would depend on the situation and the people involved. A doctor should not really go against the patient's wishes - unless she/he knows that a cure is likely to come up soon - or if euthanasia is illegal where he or she is. But in helping patients, the doctor may have to go against his/her own beliefs........

And yes, I believe in miracles!

Answer 3

I don't think it is the doctors decision. It is the patients life so let them decide what they want to do. Personally, for me it would depend on how terrible the pain was and what the odds were of finding a cure.

Answer 4

We try to relieve pain AND extend life when possible. Euthenasia is legal in Oregon and the Netherlands, I think, but I think you'll find few doctors who don't think it's unethical. On the other hand, there's no reason in terminal care to allow suffering, even if the amount of drugs needed to relieve pain is enough to hasten the end.

Answer 5

A physician should *first* do no harm, and then relieve the suffering *regardless* of whether a cure is available.
Relieving pain and extanding life are NOT necessarily the same thing nor are they mutually exclusive, and presenting them as such a dichotomy is misleading.

If you are using the expression "put...out of their pain" as a euphemism fro mercy killing, that is an entirely separate question, and should be presented as such.

Answer 6

It is not the doctor's decision to make. The wishes of the patient need to be adhered to. In the event the wishes of the patient are unknown then the wishes of the family should be considered.

Answer 7

extend their lives as long as they are not suffering from pain or are comatose, on life support..

I understand there are many people who can survive with possible hope and compassionate pain management, but for those who can no longer sustain on their own or who are suffering with no relief, I think it should be their choice if they can make a decision..

Answer 8

Uhhhhh... darkish Prince, i'm slightly stunned by this poem. i idea it became about love because you reported it truly is for this particular lady. yet this poem, ok is a robust poem, yet for someone so particular on your existence? Mmmmm, no longer so "magnifique".

Answer 9

the hippocratic oath requires you to "never do harm to anyone" or basically value human life. you also aren't allowed to deal in death -- "to please no one will I prescribe a deadly drug nor give advice which may cause his death nor will I give a woman a pessary to procure abortion".
-- thats why they do really messed up therapies in a pragmatic attempt to keep people alive.