Ethical and legal considerations in end-of-life care.

Authors

Frank Chessa, Maine Medical Center
Fernando Moreno, Maine Medical Center

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

9-1-2019

Institution/Department

Family Medicine

Journal Title

Primary care.

Abstract

In caring for dying patients, family medicine practitioners intentionally adopt care plans that affect the manner and timing of death. These decisions are morally weighty. This article provides guidance regarding the ethical and legal appropriateness of practitioner decisions near the end of life. Topics include surrogate decision making, advance care planning, medical nutrition and hydration, double effect, futile care, physician-assisted death, voluntarily stopping eating and drinking, palliative sedation to unconsciousness, and cultural humility.

ISSN

1558-299X

First Page

387

Last Page

398

Recommended Citation

Chessa, Frank and Moreno, Fernando, "Ethical and legal considerations in end-of-life care." (2019). MaineHealth Maine Medical Center. 981.
https://knowledgeconnection.mainehealth.org/mmc/981