2007-07-09 20:16:58 · 14 answers · asked by thesunshineking 2 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Heart Diseases
The patient, if he can speak. His family otherwise.
2007-07-09 20:18:27 · answer #1 · answered by iCase 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I believe in self-determination - the patient decides. If the patient has made his wishes known to family (advance directive) and has a decisionmaker (proxy), the family should have the say, but the advance directive can be misinterpreted. In situations where there is brain death, it could be any of those people, but no matter what, it should be managed with care and consideration of all involved.
I am a nurse administrator and I can say that each time a case like this comes up, there is something unique to each situation. However, some guiding principles, if understood, can help make decisions easier and more sound.
2007-07-10 08:59:20 · answer #2 · answered by bonbon 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Doctors should not have the last say in a patient's life. She/he may give suggestions as far as health issues but other than that I believe that its up to the "patient" him/herself as to how she/he should live out the remainder of her/his life. Unless the "patient" cannot communicate then the family should have the last say only if that "relative" is very CLOSE to that patient and would know what the patient would want and like his/her life to be.
2007-07-10 03:21:23 · answer #3 · answered by nagirl4ever2000 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have asked a technical question!
The doctor is under oath not disclose any secret information of patient, the doctor should be present ethically and morally when a family visits for a last say to the patient; as he can be called in the witness box, regarding any legal matter/s.
There has been many false claims of heritage and other legal matter which cannot be written on the web.
Hope you are a good reader between the lines.
2007-07-10 13:38:20 · answer #4 · answered by Dr.Qutub 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Having gone through this I can tell you that even if you set something up like a living will, in the end the Dr. will pretty much tell the family what he thinks and lead you down that road. If push comes to shove he may actually try to force his will on you by legal means. I became very disillusioned about this when my sister was sick years ago. We decided that if she were to "crash" that we didn't want extreme measures taken to save her because of the severity of her condition. That is exactly what we meant...."EXTREME". We did want some life saving measures taken if they might help. At one point we were in the room when a nurse came in and she was asking a question about medication. Then she offhandedly made the comment that, "Oh, she's just on comfort measures anyway." That is NOT what we wanted or agreed to. That just means they'll give them drugs to keep them comfortable until they are dead. We immediately called a meeting with the supervisor and got that straightened out. When the doctor found out later he kept pushing us to let her go. If we weren't so protective of her they would have just done what they wanted. We finally had an argument about it and got it straightened out. It turned out that she recovered from that incident and lived another year and a half. There's no doubt in my mind that she wouldn't have if we left it to the doctor and hospital staff. You need to explain your wishes to the doctor...even talk to the hospital's patient advocate if you need to. Be very clear and then DILIGENTLY make sure that's what's happening.
Best Wishes! :)
2007-07-10 03:30:36 · answer #5 · answered by Some Guy 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Patient or family depending on who can speak out. But definitely not the doctor unless for some specific medical reason. Whose life is it? The patient of course, I assume that people would want to be in charge of whether they want to live or not. If you could live or die, I'm pretty sure you wouldn't want someone else to make that decision for you.
2007-07-10 03:28:58 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The patient should certainly have the right to determine how an illness will be treated, or not treated. If the patient is unable to decide, then the nearest family member should decide. This why everyone should have a living will.
2007-07-10 03:19:50 · answer #7 · answered by Mel W 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
the only way that anyone is making any decisions about my life is if i am in a coma and cant help my self,if i have to go on life support however i have already authorized my dad to pull the plug but i don't think my mom would allow him. so i would say the patient and the family member who u know u can depend on are the ones who should be making any decisions.
2007-07-10 03:27:23 · answer #8 · answered by Rendevous 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
http://www.agingwithdignity.org/5wishes.html
Everyone should have an advanced directive...noting what their wishes are. If a patient does not have one, and is not able to make decisions for themselves, then depending on the state, a family member will make the decision - usually husband, then children, etc. A doctor can have an opinion, but should not make the final decision.
2007-07-10 03:24:14 · answer #9 · answered by Chrissy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the patient should have the last say, because its their own life...
n doctor should respect that....
2007-07-10 03:19:15 · answer #10 · answered by apocalypse7489 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋