Legal and policy lessons from the Schiavo case: is our right to choose the medical care we want seriously at risk?
The article explores the individual patient's right to refuse, withdraw, or insist on medical treatment where there is conflict over these issues involving health care personnel or institutions, family members, legal requirements, or third parties concerned with public policy or religious/ideological/political interests. Issues of physician assistance in dying and medical futility are considered. The basis and the current legal status of these rights is examined, and it is concluded that threats to the autonomy of patients, to the privacy of the doctor/patient relationship, and to the quality of medical care should be taken seriously by individuals, medical practitioners, and others concerned with developing and maintaining reasonable, effective, and ethical health care policy.
Lazzarini
Zita
Z
Division of Medical Humanities, Health Law and Ethics, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, 263 Farmington Avenue, MC 6325, Farmington, CT 06030-6325, USA. lazzarini@nso.uchc.edu
Arons
Stephen
S
Wisniewski
Alice
A
D003657:Decision Making / Q000941:ethics; D005431:Florida; D006801:Humans; D018447:Medical Futility / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D028701:Patient Rights / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D011640:Public Policy; D017236:Suicide, Assisted / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D014481:United States; D028761:Withholding Treatment / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*