Medizin und Recht: Therapieverzicht am Lebensende durch niedergelassene Ärzte

Abstract

The question, how and when an individual decision for and end of medical treatment or abdication of therapy should be made remains difficult. Ethical considerations have to be taken into account with respect to a humane and dignified decease. The goal of our manuscript there for is to achieve more certainty with respect to juridical and legal preconditions and frameworks. The conditions in Switzerland support general practitioners and family doctors to fulfill patients' requests, wishes and wills in an outpatient setting. An awareness and sensitization for a dignified and humane care at the end of life - despite social changes and an increased importance of health economics - as well increasing support of outpatient palliative care become more and more important. Existing legal certainty and security of practitioners, therefore, will be outlined in the following.