End-of-Life Decisions in Medical Care: Principles and Policies for Regulating the Dying Process

by Stephen W. Smith

Overview

Those involved in end-of-life decision making must take into account both legal and ethical issues. This book starts with a critical reflection of ethical principles including ideas such as moral status, the value of life, acts and omissions, harm, autonomy, dignity and paternalism. It then explores the practical difficulties of regulating end-of-life decisions, focusing on patients, healthcare professionals, the wider community and issues surrounding 'slippery slope' arguments. By evaluating the available empirical evidence, the author identifies preferred ways to regulate decisions and minimise abuses at the end of life, and outlines an ethical theory which can provide practical guidance for those engaged in end-of-life decisions.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781139234306
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	02/23/2012
Series:	Cambridge Bioethics and Law , #18
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	752 KB

About the Author

Stephen W. Smith is a lecturer in law at Birmingham Law School, where he teaches bioethics, criminal law and medicine and jurisprudence.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction; 2. Moral status; 3. The value of life; 4. Killing versus letting die and moral responsibility; 5. Autonomy and paternalism; 6. Beneficence, non-maleficence and harm; 7. Dignity; 8. A comprehensive ethical approach; 9. Introduction to Part Two; 10. Protection of patients; 11. The impact on health care practitioners; 12. Greater societal issues; 13. Slippery slope arguments; 14. Necessary procedural protections; 15. Conclusions.