by Lois L. Shepherd. As illustrated so heartbreakingly in the Terri Schiavo case, it is extremely difficult to determine a patient's wishes in end-of-life decisions because all the idiosyncrasies of individual situations cannot be predicted in advance. Admitting that decisions relating to permanent vegetative states are different from those surrounding terminally ill or minimally conscious patients, Shepherd (law & public health sciences, Univ. of Virginia) considers some of the tough ethical and emotional considerations involved and how existing laws may be strengthened. Pointing out weaknesses related to living wills and offering suggestions on alternative ways to ensure that a patient's rights and wishes are respected, she also expresses concern for the need to respect patients' privacy and gives careful consideration to whether nutrition and hydration should be considered "basic care." For extensive background reading on Schiavo's case and how it relates to end-of-life concerns, The Case of Terri Schiavo, edited by Arthur L. Caplan and others, remains the definitive work. Shepherd's book nicely updates and complements William Colby's Unplugged. (Check catalog)
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
If that ever happens to me : making life and death decisions after Terri Schiavo
by Lois L. Shepherd. As illustrated so heartbreakingly in the Terri Schiavo case, it is extremely difficult to determine a patient's wishes in end-of-life decisions because all the idiosyncrasies of individual situations cannot be predicted in advance. Admitting that decisions relating to permanent vegetative states are different from those surrounding terminally ill or minimally conscious patients, Shepherd (law & public health sciences, Univ. of Virginia) considers some of the tough ethical and emotional considerations involved and how existing laws may be strengthened. Pointing out weaknesses related to living wills and offering suggestions on alternative ways to ensure that a patient's rights and wishes are respected, she also expresses concern for the need to respect patients' privacy and gives careful consideration to whether nutrition and hydration should be considered "basic care." For extensive background reading on Schiavo's case and how it relates to end-of-life concerns, The Case of Terri Schiavo, edited by Arthur L. Caplan and others, remains the definitive work. Shepherd's book nicely updates and complements William Colby's Unplugged. (Check catalog)
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