3 ms·
The advice reminds me of the article "How Doctors Die" ( http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/20/your-money/how-doctors-die.html?pagewanted=all http://www.nytimes.com
by tbrake 12y ago
The advice reminds me of the article "How Doctors Die" ( http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/20/your-money/how-doctors-die.html?pagewanted=all http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/20/your-money/how-doctors-die... ).
Having not read the book and the viewpoint it presents I do feel like there's also a bit of responsibility - I hesitate to use "blame" or "fault" - on the patient or patient's family for keeping them alive on machines and treatment that cost way too much. Perhaps the establishment is an enabler in that sense but what would they be if they didn't respect the wishes of the dying?
- fossuser 12y agoThere's an interesting related article that goes a bit further than the NYT piece: http://slatestarcodex.com/2013/07/17/who-by-very-slow-decay/ http://slatestarcodex.com/2013/07/17/who-by-very-slow-decay/ I thought it was a pretty worthwhile read - maybe you will too.
- emiliobumachar 12y agoGreat article! Thanks. Excerpt: "The hospital lawyer mentioned during orientation that it never fails that the family members who live in the area and have spent lots of time with their mother/father/grandparent over the past few years are willing to let them go, but someone from 2000 miles away flies in at the last second and makes ostentatious demands that EVERYTHING POSSIBLE must be done for the patient. Your doctors will nod their heads and tell your family they respect their wishes. It will be a lie. Oh, sure, they will carry out the family’s wishes, in terms of continuing to provide the care. But respect? [...]"