Modern medicine has progressed to the point that often death comes only after you are 'unplugged' so to speak. We keep our hopes up that time will be far in the future. We plan the way we want to go with our living wills, health care proxies, etc. But I do often wonder how do doctors and health care professionals decide when it does not do any good.
I am being morbid here? I don't think so. I read two articles recently that caused me to do some thinking (which I know can be dangerous but not morbid).
The first one discusses dying connected to a machine. Do you want to die tethered to a machine? I do not thank you. I do not want to die connected to any machine which might be the least bit uncomfortable.
There is also the issue of what could be called 'futile' care. When does caregiving stop having a benefit? When are doctors continuing to treat patients when there is no benefit? There must be a fine line where the body is too weak or sick to respond to treatment or there simply are no more treatments available. Once that line is crossed, anything more than palliative care is futile. Even keeping someone on a machine could be futile if its merely keeping their lungs breathing and heart pumping.
The article talks about building trust between doctors and patients. But this also should include patients families so they understand that there is nothing left to be done.
Showing posts with label end of life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label end of life. Show all posts
A doctor question.
Here is an interesting question. A woman wants additional treatment for her husband who is failing rapidly from cancer. She thinks there must be something more that can be done. But the doctor knows there isn't really anything left to prolong his life.
I am sure oncologists and other doctors are put into this position by well meaning family members countless times. There is a point where the treatment of the patient extends to the family members, especially the primary caregivers. They do not want to lose their loved one and are grasping at straws for anything to save their life.
The article I liked to is from the physician's point of view - what should they do? Where do they draw the line? How do they keep the patient as comfortable as possible and keep the family members happy?
It is a tough question. I would not have to be the one to have to answer this. I can also see me being the one grasping at straws and asking the doctor isn't there something else to try?
I am sure oncologists and other doctors are put into this position by well meaning family members countless times. There is a point where the treatment of the patient extends to the family members, especially the primary caregivers. They do not want to lose their loved one and are grasping at straws for anything to save their life.
The article I liked to is from the physician's point of view - what should they do? Where do they draw the line? How do they keep the patient as comfortable as possible and keep the family members happy?
It is a tough question. I would not have to be the one to have to answer this. I can also see me being the one grasping at straws and asking the doctor isn't there something else to try?
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