The Physician's Responsibility toward Hopelessly Ill Patients

These guidelines for doctors treating hopelessly ill adult patients formulated by ten physicians who met on 28-30 October 1983 at Harvard's Library of Medicine, under the auspices of the Society for the Right Die. Basic to their considerations were the patient's paramount role in making, and the advisability of decreasing aggressive treatment when treatment only prolongs dying. After discussing the patient's and's decision making roles, and doctor patient communication, the offer guidelines on levels of care and individualizing treatment of and incompetent patients, including those who are brain dead, in a vegetative state, demented, or senile. (KIE abstract)