Ethics in Healthcare: The Terri Schiavo Case Analysis
Terri Schiavo case is truly sad and arises numerous questions and controversies. As it is stated by Lynne (2005) in 1990 Terri’s heart stopped and brain did not receive oxygen for several minutes. In such a vegetative state she was kept on artificial nutrition 15 years. The ethical issue is that Terri did not write advance directive whether she is for or against the artificial support to keep her alive. Her husband’s behavior is extra disputable. According to Lynne (2005) until 1998 he suited physicians that they did not provide effective care on her bulimia. He won this case and received $1.5 million dollars in this lawsuit. He promised that he would care about his wife all his life, but as the article “The sad case of Terri Schiavo” by The Economist wrote than he started the new family with a new woman.
After 1998 he changed his mind and started to persuade the Court that Terri expressed the desire not to be the burden to anyone and to be withdrawn from any artificial tools supporting her life. This is one position, and another is the will of Terri’s parents to support their daughter life at any means and any costs. Finally, the feeding tube was withdrawn as per request of the husband, and Terri died thirteen days later.
I should admit that I agree with the decision to stop Terri’s pains and suffering but not due to the argumentation of her husband but based on the medical and neuropsychologists’ conclusion that her state is irreversible. According to the American Medical Association Litigation Center family members or guardians of the patient who is in the vegetative state (unconscious coma) can make “unreasoned” decisions to stop his life. As it is underlined by Lynne (2005) under American legislation the responsibility for the well-being of Terri is her husband not her parents’ obligation in case there is no advanced directive.
I reckon that it is a very controversial topic because there are too varying relationships in families influencing the decision of husband; as well as the parental love may even hurt the patient if his medical state indeed requires stopping the artificial life support. I am convinced that such a decision should be based on the medical conclusions that involve a concilium of the best healthcare professionals whether the brain activity can be renewed or it is irreversible situation.
A patient right to die and not suffer should be the main consideration in decision making process whether to discontinue life support. It is a big grievance for patient’s family, but if the health state is proved by medical professionals to be irreversible then such a decision should be made in the interest of the patient.
Oregon Death with Dignity Act
According to Baillie, McGeehan, Garrett and Garrett (2013) the opponents of active suicide and participation of physicians argue that suicide is not religiously accepted, that it is the act against the greatest …
