In this issue of the MJA, we are launching a new occasional series of articles discussing current controversies and challenges in medical ethics. This first trio of articles addresses the provision of apparently futile treatment at the end of life. Koczwara, a medical oncologist, describes a difficult, but unfortunately all-too-common, case involving conflict between health professionals and family members about the appropriateness of life-prolonging treatment. Complementary clinical, ethical and legal perspectives follow.
The full article is accessible to AMA members and paid subscribers. Login to read more or purchase a subscription now.
Please note: institutional and Research4Life access to the MJA is now provided through Wiley Online Library.
- 1. Silvester W, Detering K. Advance care planning and end-of-life care. Med J Aust 2011; 195: 435-436. <MJA full text>
- 2. Detering KM, Hancock AD, Reade MC, et al. The impact of advance care planning on end of life care in elderly patients: randomised controlled trial. BMJ 2010; 340: c1345.
- 3. Stewart CL. A defence of the requirement to seek consent to withhold and withdraw futile treatments. Med J Aust 2012; 196: 406-408. <MJA full text>
- 4. Stewart C. Futility determination as a process: problems with medical sovereignty, legal issues and the strengths and weakness of the procedural approach. J Bioethical Inquiry 2011; 8: 155-163.
- 5. Greely H, Sahakian B, Harris J, et al. Towards responsible use of cognitive-enhancing drugs by the healthy. Nature 2008; 456: 702-705.
- 6. Savulescu J, Bostrom N. Human enhancement. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2009.
- 7. Partridge B, Lucke J, Hall W. A comparison of attitudes toward cognitive enhancement and legalized doping in sport in a community sample of Australian adults. AJOB Primary Research 2012; 3: 81-86.
- 8. Irvine R, McPhee J, Kerridge IH. The challenge of cultural and ethical pluralism to medical practice. Med J Aust 2002; 176: 174-175. <MJA full text>
- 9. Garvey G, Towney P, McPhee JR, et al. Is there an Aboriginal bioethic? J Med Ethics 2004; 30: 570-575.
- 10. Parfit D. On what matters. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2011.
- 11. Hare RM. Universal prescriptivism. In: Singer P, editor. A companion to ethics. Oxford: Blackwell, 1991: 456.
- 12. Mill JS. On liberty. New York: Bobbs-Merrill, 1956.
No relevant disclosures.