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Let me give you the other side of the coin.
Hundreds of thousands of people die in the US every year because family, in collusion with the treating doctor, decide to withdraw treatment, or not offer the treatment.
‘Do not resuscitate’ orders are often interpreted as ‘Do not treat’ by careless doctors.
I have seen several times patients die that could have lived for several years, because the doctor gave the wrong information to the family.
So, if you want to give ‘healthcare proxy’ authority to a family member, make sure that the person has no conflict of interest, and is knowledgeable enough to make the decision for your life or death. Make sure that person gets several opinions before pulling the plug.
Better yet, have a ‘living will’ specifying your wishes in every possible situation. That is probably your best protection.
It was different in Terry Chiavo's case because she had CT scans and EEG showing very extensive, irreversible brain damage.
Hundreds of thousands of people die in the US every year because family, in collusion with the treating doctor, decide to withdraw treatment, or not offer the treatment.
‘Do not resuscitate’ orders are often interpreted as ‘Do not treat’ by careless doctors.
I have seen several times patients die that could have lived for several years, because the doctor gave the wrong information to the family.
So, if you want to give ‘healthcare proxy’ authority to a family member, make sure that the person has no conflict of interest, and is knowledgeable enough to make the decision for your life or death. Make sure that person gets several opinions before pulling the plug.
Better yet, have a ‘living will’ specifying your wishes in every possible situation. That is probably your best protection.
It was different in Terry Chiavo's case because she had CT scans and EEG showing very extensive, irreversible brain damage.
