Medical College of Wisconsin
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Making decisions about life-sustaining medical treatment in patients with dementia. The problem of patient decision-making capacity. Theor Med Bioeth 1999 Jan;20(1):55-67

Date

08/12/1999

Pubmed ID

10442054

DOI

10.1023/a:1009928008193

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-0033035522 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   24 Citations

Abstract

The problem of decision-making capacity in patients with dementia, such as those with early stage Alzheimer's, can be vexing, especially when these patients refuse life-sustaining medical treatments. However, these patients should not be presumed to lack decision-making capacity. Instead, an analysis of the patient's decision-making capacity should be made. Patients who have some degree of decision-making capacity may be able to make a choice about life-sustaining medical treatment and may, in many cases, choose to forgo treatment.

Author List

Derse AR

Author

Arthur R. Derse MD, JD Director, Professor in the Institute for Health and Humanity department at Medical College of Wisconsin




MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Aged
Beneficence
Compensation and Redress
Comprehension
Decision Making
Dementia
Female
Humans
Informed Consent
Legal Guardians
Life Support Care
Mental Competency
Personal Autonomy
Withholding Treatment