The Role of Law in Decisions to Withhold and Withdraw Life-Sustaining Treatment from Adults Who Lack Capacity: A Cross-Sectional Study

(2017) Journal of Medical Ethics, 43(5), pp. 327-333.

40 Pages Posted: 23 Oct 2017 Last revised: 26 Oct 2017

See all articles by Ben White

Ben White

Queensland University of Technology - Faculty of Law

Lindy Willmott

Queensland University of Technology - Faculty of Law

Gail Williams

University of Queensland

Colleen Cartwright

Southern Cross University

Malcolm Parker

University of Queensland - School of Medicine

Multiple version iconThere are 2 versions of this paper

Date Written: October 22, 2017

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the role played by law in medical specialists’ decision-making about withholding and withdrawing life-sustaining treatment (WWLST) from adults who lack capacity, and the extent to which legal knowledge affects whether law is followed.

Design: Cross-sectional postal survey of medical specialists.

Setting: The two largest Australian states by population.

Participants: 649 medical specialists from seven specialties most likely to be involved in end-of-life decision-making in the acute setting.

Main outcome measures: Compliance with law and the impact of legal knowledge on compliance.

Results: 649 medical specialists (of 2104 potential participants) completed the survey (response rate 31%). Responses to a hypothetical scenario found a potential low rate of legal compliance, 32% (95% CI 28% to 36%). Knowledge of the law and legal compliance were associated: within compliers, 86% (95% CI 83% to 91%) had specific knowledge of the relevant aspect of the law, compared to 60% (95% CI 55% to 65%) within non-compliers. However, the reasons medical specialists gave for making decisions did not vary according to legal knowledge.

Conclusions: Medical specialists prioritise patient-related clinical factors over law when confronted with a scenario where legal compliance is inconsistent with what they believe is clinically indicated. Although legally knowledgeable specialists were more likely to comply with the law, compliance in the scenario was not motivated by an intention to follow law. Ethical considerations (which are different from, but often align with, law) are suggested as a more important influence in clinical decision-making. More education and training of doctors is needed to demonstrate the role, relevance and utility of law in end-of-life care.

Keywords: Health law, Medical law, Adult guardianship law, Withholding and withdrawing life-sustaining treatment, Advance directives, Knowledge of law, Compliance with law, End of life decision-making, Medical ethics, Survey of doctors

Suggested Citation

White, Ben and Willmott, Lindy and Williams, Gail and Cartwright, Colleen and Parker, Malcolm, The Role of Law in Decisions to Withhold and Withdraw Life-Sustaining Treatment from Adults Who Lack Capacity: A Cross-Sectional Study (October 22, 2017). (2017) Journal of Medical Ethics, 43(5), pp. 327-333., Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3056917

Ben White

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/

Lindy Willmott (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/willmott/

Gail Williams

University of Queensland ( email )

St Lucia
Brisbane, Queensland 4072
Australia

Colleen Cartwright

Southern Cross University ( email )

Lismore, New South Wales 2480
Australia

Malcolm Parker

University of Queensland - School of Medicine ( email )

St Lucia
Queensland 4072
Australia

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