Withdrawing life-sustaining medical treatment--a physician's personal reflection.

Richard J Lin

Journal: Mental retardation and developmental disabilities research reviews 2003;9(1):10-5

PMID: 12587132

Abstract

The decision to withhold or withdraw artificially provided hydration and nutrition is one which evolves over time and must be made jointly by the medical team and the patient's family. Although withholding nutrition can be argued to be ethical and appropriate for certain clinical scenarios, it is still a decision which can be difficult to make and, because of different social and legal issues, can be difficult to carry out. This is the story of one physician's journey as he worked with the mother and father of a young child who suffered a severe neurological injury and was left in a persistent vegetative state.

Address: University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA. [email protected]

DOI: 10.1002/mrdd.10057

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https://doi.org/10.1002/mrdd.10057

MeSH Terms: Child, Preschool, Family, Female, Humans, Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain, Life Support Care, Physician's Role, Professional-Patient Relations, United States, Withholding Treatment