Citation

Szewczyk K. Anestezjol. Intens. Ter. 2007; 39(1): 43-47.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, Medi Press)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In recent years, there has been increasing debate on the role of intensive care. In medical practice the use of intensive care occupies a difficuft place between decisions at the end of life, like alleviating pain, with-holding treatment, and (in jurisdictions where this is allowed) euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide. In the paper, legal and practical aspects of euthanasia are discussed. Since euthanasia is not allowed in Poland, some limitations of intensive care should exist and patient's wishes should be observed. Many physicians continue life-sustaining treatment despite patient or surrogate wishes that it be discontinued, and many unilaterally withhold or withdraw life-sustaining treatment that they judge to be futile. Critical care physicians should incorporate some concept of medical futility into decision making at the bedside. © PTAiIT, Borgis.

Language: en

Keywords

Poland; Ethics; morality; cause of death; mortality; treatment outcome; medical ethics; review; euthanasia; physician; medical practice; medicolegal aspect; medical decision making; practice guideline; intensive care; physician attitude; social behavior; cultural anthropology; medical specialist; financial management; medical care; health care need; negligence; Intensive care; bioethics; hospice care; social belief; health belief; patient decision making; patient autonomy; critically ill patient