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Critical Care
Published in: Critical Care 4/2001

01-08-2001 | Commentary

Evaluating our end-of-life practice

Author: Mitchell M Levy

Published in: Critical Care | Issue 4/2001

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Abstract

Ferrand et al's recent study of witholding and withdrawing life support in intensive care units in France reminds us that reporting end-of-life practices is an important step towards enhancing end-of-life care. The study highlights differences between the parentalistic approach to decision making in Europe, and the patient autonomy model in the USA. However, the reasons intensivists report for witholding or withdrawing life support are similar in both cultures. Intensivists in France make decisions despite a lack of formal guidelines in their country. This study should serve as a stimulus for educating the public and motivating more groups to monitor their end-of-life practices.
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Metadata
Title
Evaluating our end-of-life practice
Author
Mitchell M Levy
Publication date
01-08-2001
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Critical Care / Issue 4/2001
Electronic ISSN: 1364-8535
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/cc1020

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