In case he does, though, the difficulty remains nonetheless, since we generally maintain that there is an ethically relevant distinction between “withholding” – i.e. not initiating – a life-sustaining intervention if the patient so wishes, and “withdrawing” the same treatment once it has been instated, even if the treatment is unwanted.
Is there a difference between withholding and withdrawing of Life-Sustaining Treatment?
Despite many believing that there is no ethical, medical, or moral difference between withholding and withdrawing of life-sustaining treatment, there is no denying it is emotionally taxing, particularly withdrawal of ANH. Upholding the patient's values during high-quality shared decision making, fac …
Are withholding and withdrawing treatment ethically equivalent?
Withholding and withdrawing treatment are widely regarded as ethically equivalent in medical guidelines and ethics literature. Health care personnel, however, widely perceive moral differences between withholding and withdrawing. The proponents of equivalence argue that any perceived difference can …
Is there a difference between withholding and withdrawing of Anh?
Withholding versus withdrawing treatment: artificial nutrition and hydration as a model Despite many believing that there is no ethical, medical, or moral difference between withholding and withdrawing of life-sustaining treatment, there is no denying it is emotionally taxing, particularly withdrawal of ANH.
What is the difference between withholding and withdrawing?
For instance, it might be argued that in the withdrawing scenario the physician interrupting the treatment is the direct cause of the patient’s death, whereas in the withholding case the physician does nothing to causally contribute to it.
What is withholding or withdrawing necessary treatment to maintaining life?
Withholding or withdrawing of life-sustaining therapy or life support is a process by which various medical interventions either are not given to or are taken away from patients with the expectation that they will die from their underlying illnesses.
What is the difference between withholding withdrawing life support and physician assisted suicide?
Purpose of review: Withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining therapy is generally differentiated from physician-assisted suicide or euthanasia based on the distinction between intention and foresight. We reviewed the literature surrounding the validity of this distinction.
What does withdrawal of treatment mean?
In general, treatment is withdrawn when death is felt to be inevitable despite continued treatment. This would typically be when dysfunction in three or more organ systems persists or worsens despite active treatment or in cases such as multiple organ failure in patients with failed bone marrow transplantation.
What is withholding life sustaining treatment?
The goal of withdrawing life sustaining treatment is to remove treatments that are no longer desired or do not provide comfort to the patient. 2. The withholding of life-sustaining treatments is morally and legally equivalent to their withdrawal.
What's the difference between euthanasia and withdrawing life support?
Passive euthanasia: intentionally letting a patient die by withholding artificial life support such as a ventilator or feeding tube. Some ethicists distinguish between withholding life support and withdrawing life support (the patient is on life support but then removed from it).
Is withdrawal or withholding of treatment equivalent to euthanasia?
It should be made clear that withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining therapies that are disproportionate to the expected outcome is not equivalent to euthanasia; it is in fact considered ethical and medically appropriate, as long as basic humane, compassionate care is not interrupted.
Is there an ethical or legal difference between withholding and withdrawing medically assisted nutrition and hydration?
Although individuals may hold personal or professional reservations, withholding or withdrawing ANH is both legally and ethically permissible.
What is meant by a patient refusing or withdrawing treatment?
A decision to withhold or withdraw life- sustaining treatment is a common feature of medical practice when caring for people who are approaching the end of life. 2. A person who has capacity can lawfully refuse treatment even if that treatment is needed to keep them alive. Such a refusal should be followed.
Can a doctor withhold treatment?
Can a physician refuse to treat a current patient? Yes, but the physician needs to follow appropriate guidelines. See California Medical Association (CMA) guidelines in regard to terminating the doctor/patient relationship.
When can you withdraw from life support?
The goal of withdrawing life support when death is expected is to remove treatments that are no longer desired or indicated and that do not provide comfort to the patient.
Is withdrawal of treatment ethical?
The withdrawal of treatment is one of the most emotionally challenging and ethically complex aspects of end-of-life care. As our ability to prolong life progresses, the necessity to address issues such as the withdrawal of treatment increases in parallel.
Why do doctors withdraw treatment?
If there's an agreement that continuing treatment is not in your best interests, treatment can be withdrawn, allowing you to die peacefully. The palliative care team will make sure you're comfortable and do not feel pain or distress.
Is there an ethical difference between withholding and withdrawing treatment?
While there may be an emotional difference between not initiating an intervention at all and discontinuing it later in the course of care, there is no ethical difference between withholding and withdrawing treatment.
Is it ethical to withhold life sustaining interventions?
Decisions to withhold or withdraw life-sustaining interventions can be ethically and emotionally challenging to all involved. However, a patient who has decision-making capacity appropriate to the decision at hand has the right to decline any medical intervention or ask that an intervention be stopped, even when that decision is expected to lead ...
Abstract
This chapter resolves a long-standing debate. It examines what has been called the Equivalence Thesis in respect of withdrawing and withholding life-sustaining treatment (LST).
References (11)
A Morally Permissible Moral Mistake? Reinterpreting a Thought Experiment as Proof of Concept