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Forgoing Medical Treatment |
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 Trial
of treatment
Artificial treatments are often very effective. Many people are alive
today because they had a spell of sickness, and a machine to provide
nutrition, water, or air got them through. Indeed, when there is any
doubt about whether a treatment will improve comfort or quality of
life, a time-limited trial is often very useful. Trying a treatment
for a reasonable period of time allows you to see if there is a benefit
to using the treatment. The key is to define the time limit and the
expected benefits before starting the treatment. That way,
everyone will know when the situation will be reassessed and what
benefits should be present to consider the treatment useful.
Some people worry that once they start a treatment, they will not
be able to stop it. Legally and ethically, not starting and stopping
are seen as equal actions. If a treatment is not improving comfort
or quality of life, then there is no reason to continue it. |
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Adapted from The
Handbook for Mortals: Guidance for People Facing Serious Illness,
by Joanne Lynn and Joan Harrold, copyright by Joanne Lynn, used by
permission of Oxford University Press.
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