The Medical Freedom Channel

“Faced with declining health due to a chronic illness, many patients become more willing to accept treatments that could leave them functionally disabled, a new study finds. In fact, patients may be more willing to accept these treatments than the general public or doctors believe — even when therapies reduce their quality of life, are risky or have little chance of benefiting their condition. ‘Peoples’ viewpoints do change over time,’ said Elizabeth Chaitin, the director of medical ethics/palliative care services at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. ‘As people age and become disabled, they are more willing to accept what we might see as a bad quality of life — they don’t see it as a bad quality of life.’ … People who suffer from long-term, debilitating illnesses are often faced with tough choices — not only does their illness affect their quality of life, but doctors often present them with treatment options that come with debilitating side effects. Prolonged stays in the hospital or intensive-care unit, becoming dependent on respirators, and potent chemotherapies can all take a heavy toll on quality of life.” (04/27/06)