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SKILL BUILDING IN
ETHICS CASE CONSULTATION
Stroke Patient
This case also involves a patient who has
had a significant cerebrovascular event. It shows a physician who wishes to
continue life support until further evaluation can be completed in conflict
with a surrogate decision maker who believes the patient would wish no
further intervention.
The case is especially interesting from a
mediational perspective. That is, the consultants and health care
professionals must honor the legitimate wishes and rights of the patient but
it is important to make sure that the surrogate decision maker understands
the situation and considers how the patient’s values and previous directives
apply to the present situation. You might wish to consider what kind of
compromises are available and legitimate in such a situation and whether the
resolution reached is satisfactory.
This case is also pertinent to many of our
current clinical dilemmas because it challenges us to consider whether
categories such as “terminal” are applicable to the patient or of what uses
such distinctions might be in reaching resolution.
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