Wrongful prolongation of life: a growing concern in the health care system

Mar 4, 2023

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In this episode, we sit down with patient advocate Althea Halchuck to discuss the importance of advance directives in end-of-life care. We delve into the story of Dr. Gerald Greenberg, a New York dentist who was diagnosed with early-onset dementia and executed a living will stating his preferences for end-of-life care. Despite this, he was subjected to unwanted medical treatment that prolonged his life and caused him immense pain and suffering.

Althea will discuss the growing trend of wrongful prolongation of life lawsuits and the duty of medical providers to follow a legally executed advance directive or medical order. She will explain the legal precedent set by recent cases and the importance of creating an advance directive before becoming incapacitated. Join us as we explore the consequences of not following a patient's wishes and the right to refuse medical treatment, even if it may result in death.

Althea Halchuck is a patient advocate.

She shares her story and discusses her KevinMD article, "What's the sense of having a living will if it's not honored?"

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