Author:
Kapila Helen,Coni Nicholas
Abstract
ABSTRACTThe availability of high technology designed to preserve human life, places medical practitioners in a set of ethical dilemmas. In particular the use of Intensive Care Units to sustain acutely seriously ill elderly people is a matter of widespread debate. An examination of the medical research literature suggests that such interventions are largely successful and wished for by the patient, but the quality of surviving life is for some, unacceptable. It is concluded that the maintance of life should remain the predominant rule, but that where patient and clinical judgement indicates it, death should be accepted as the natural course.
Publisher
Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Subject
Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health,Geriatrics and Gerontology,Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous),Social Psychology,Health (social science)
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