MetaTOC stay on top of your field, easily

Council of Europe: Guide on the decision-making process regarding medical treatment in end-of-life situations

,

Medical Law International

Published online on

Abstract

In this contribution, the "Guide on the decision-making process regarding medical treatment in end-of-life situations" published by the Committee on Bioethics of the Council of Europe has been analyzed by taking into consideration different perspectives, such as medical, ethical, and legal views. In this commentary, reasons why this guide should be applied not only by the care team but also by patients, his or her family, relatives, or legal proxies have been examined. In addition, some argumentations why this guide should also include physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia have been explained. The application of ethical principles and the balance between the patient’s right to self-determination and the physician’s duty of care have been studied under the general principle of fair distribution of public recourses in palliative care. Moreover, some examples from national legislations of some Western European countries have been given to illustrate and support these guidelines.