Survey of Japanese physicians' attitudes towards the care of adult patients in persistent vegetative state.

摘要: OBJECTIVES: Ethical issues have recently been raised regarding the appropriate care of patients in persistent vegetative state (PVS) Japan. The purpose our study is to attitudes and beliefs Japanese physicians who experience caring for PVS. DESIGN AND SETTING: A postal questionnaire was sent all 317 representative members Japan Society Apoplexy working at university hospitals or designated teaching by Ministry Health Welfare. asked subjects what they would recommend three hypothetical vignettes that varied with respect a PVS patient's previous wishes family. RESULTS: response rate 65%. In case patient had no expressed family, 3% respondents withdraw artificial nutrition hydration (ANH) when did not require any other life-sustaining treatments, 4% discontinue ANH, 30% withhold antibiotics developed pneumonia. Significantly more (17%) ANH whose family agreed life support be discontinued. Most thought written advance directives influence their decisions. Forty per cent want stopped 31% administered if were CONCLUSIONS: tend from patients. Patients' directives, however, affect