What Should Physicians Do When They Disagree, Clinically and Ethically, with a Surrogate's Wishes?

When patients' surrogates and physicians disagree about the appropriateness of aggressive treatment in intensive care units (ICUs), physicians can experience surrogates' demands as sources of moral distress. This article addresses the virtues and communication strategies needed to respond...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:AMA journal of ethics 2017-06, Vol.19 (6), p.558-563
Main Authors: Traudt, Terri, Liaschenko, Joan
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Communication
Decision Making - ethics
Dissent and Disputes
Humans
Intensive Care Units
Physician's Role
Physicians
Professional-Family Relations
Proxy
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Summary:When patients' surrogates and physicians disagree about the appropriateness of aggressive treatment in intensive care units (ICUs), physicians can experience surrogates' demands as sources of moral distress. This article addresses the virtues and communication strategies needed to respond appropriately in such situations. Specifically, we offer a framework and language that rely on moral community to facilitate common ground and alleviate moral distress.
ISSN:2376-6980
2376-6980
DOI:10.1001/journalofethics.2017.19.6.ecas4-1706