The Sanctity of Social Life: Physicians Treatment of Critically Ill Patients

by Diana Crane

Overview

For years, speculation has been mounting among lawyers, church leaders, social scientists, and the general public over the question of prolongation of life and the critically ill patient's "right to die." But what is the physician's attitude toward this controversial subject? Under what conditions does a doctor battle to save the life of the patient, and when does he decide to withdraw medical treatment and allow death to occur? The answers to these questions form the basis of this book, a fascinating examination of the nature of death and dying, as seen from the physician' point of view.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780878556489
Publisher:	Transaction Publishers
Publication date:	01/30/1977
Edition description:	1st paperback ed. with new pref
Pages:	306
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

Table of Contents

1: Introduction; 2: Controversy and the Clinical Mentality; I: Criteria for Decision-Making; 3: Decisions to Treat Critically Ill Patients; 4: The Terminal Patient; 5: Decision-Making Viewed Through Hospital Records; II: Sources of Variation Among Physicians; 6: Context for Decision-Making; 7: The Active Physician; 8: Departmental Dynamics and the Development of New Medical Technology; 9: Conclusion

Editorial Reviews

Recent technological advances have affected every aspect of modern life, including the process of dying. . . . Although a number of dilemmas affecting patient, family, and medical staff result from the trend, Diana Crane focuses primarily upon the physician’s response in the present volume. . . . The purpose of her book is to report the results of an inquiry regarding physician attitudes toward the prolongation and termination of life. . . . The Sancity of Social Life is very well written in a non-jargony manner. The issues are clearly elaborated and . . . portrayed through the case studies.” —Larry A. Bugen, Contemporary Sociology

From the Publisher