A Model for Decision-Making at the End-of-Life: Queensland and Beyond

Medicine and Law, 25(1), pp. 201-217, 2006

Posted: 10 Jul 2016

See all articles by Lindy Willmott

Lindy Willmott

Queensland University of Technology - Faculty of Law

Ben White

Queensland University of Technology - Faculty of Law

Date Written: 2006

Abstract

A decision to allow a patient's life to end by withdrawing or withholding medical treatment can be extremely difficult. In addition to making the appropriate medical and ethical judgments, there are also legal considerations to take into account, the most important of which is ensuring that the death is lawful. This paper addresses when it is legal to withdraw or withhold medical treatment that is needed to keep a patient alive. It draws on cases and legislation from the common law world (including Australia, England and New Zealand) and considers the various legal tests applied in the different jurisdictions -- Two of the most common tests employed in this situation are the "best interests of the patient" test and the "substituted judgment" test. Some jurisdictions also include other criteria as well, such as a requirement that withdrawing or withholding of medical treatment is "not inconsistent with good medical practice". This paper analyses these different legal tests, and after identifying the factors that are judged to be legally relevant to consider when deciding to withdraw or withhold treatment, outlines a preferred model. This model addresses who the relevant decision maker should be, and the criteria that should govern their decision. It suggests that family members are better equipped and more appropriate to act as decision makers than health professionals, and also questions the appropriateness of responsible medical opinion as the decisive factor in such cases, preferring instead an approach more consistent with the principles of self determination. The model also proposes a method for resolving any disputes that arise.

Keywords: End of life decision-making, Withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining medical treatment, Adult guardianship law

Suggested Citation

Willmott, Lindy and White, Ben, A Model for Decision-Making at the End-of-Life: Queensland and Beyond (2006). Medicine and Law, 25(1), pp. 201-217, 2006, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2806841

Lindy Willmott

Queensland University of Technology - Faculty of Law ( email )

Level 4, C Block Gardens Point
2 George St
Brisbane, QLD 4000
Australia

HOME PAGE: http://staff.qut.edu.au/staff/willmott/

Ben White (Contact Author)

Queensland University of Technology - Faculty of Law ( email )

Level 4, C Block Gardens Point
2 George St
Brisbane, QLD 4000
Australia

HOME PAGE: http://staff.qut.edu.au/staff/whiteb/

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Abstract Views
258
PlumX Metrics