[GCFL-discuss] discussion topic

[Discussion of the Good, Clean Funnies List]

Dear Frank, and whoever the other response is from,

In the best of all possible worlds, where someone who had complete
knowledge of all relevant facts, and perfect wisdom to understand them,
had unfettered discretion to make necessary decisions, I would definitely
say that expensive treatment should not be wasted on patients who are not
going to recover -- care should be to relieve pain and provide a
dignified last few weeks, months, or however long it took.

Since there is only one omniscient, ominpresent, omnipotent being, who
does not to our knowledge write on hospital charts or scribble
prescriptions, ANY standards for making decisions are necessarily going
to be complex and imperfect. I worry most that standards will be
different for "how much" treatment to give patients who don't have much
money, compared to those who can pay for any treatment they desire.

For myself, I would refuse extraordinary treatment if there were not a
good chance of prolonging my life by some years, in a condition to enjoy
it and to be useful in what I could accomplish. I would never trust
anyone else to make the decision what would be either useful or enjoyable
for me.

I would say that major surgery should be reserved for circumstance where
there is a reasonable chance of improvement in the patient's condition,
but even that is a thorny decision to entrust to any decision maker.

Siarlys