Discussion:
• From the scenario below, analyze the concept of patients' rights and the concerns of physicians and nurses, as they apply to patients facing end-of-life decisions. Give your opinion on whether or not health care professionals are suitably educated in the sensitive nature of end-of-life and patient expectations. Provide a rationale for your response.
• Analyze the major connections between liability of professionals, insurance policy coverage, and settlement of claims due to health care liability issues. Consider the concept of insurance coverage denial, and ascertain the manner in which such denial is built upon the limitation clauses and conditions set forth by the insurance provider.
This instructor insights cover futility debates in end of life decision making and the politics of informed consent in both end of life and abortion decisions. We also present the moral complexity of end of life decisions by providers which is further complicated by varying standards of consciousness. The first two articles highlight patient rights and provider responsibilities in end of life decisions. The third article focuses on the providers' perception of consciousness standards and other moral factors that come into play in determining whether to advise that life be ended or treatment should continue. Please reflect on these concepts as you contemplate the laws and ethics of end of life or continuation of treatment.
Reference:
Lemmens, C. (2013). A New Style of End-of-life Cases: A Patient's Right to Demand Treatment or a Physicians Right to Refuse Treatment? The Futility Debate Revisited.European Journal of Health Law 20 ,167-183.
Suter, M. S. (2013). Politics of Information: Informed Consent in Abortion and End-of-Life Decision Making. American Journal of Law & Medicine, 39 (2013): 7-61