The principle of Autonomy is paramount to bio-medical ethics. Philosophically, there is no controversial notion exists than of this liberty unless the patient is incompetent. Practically, the families' opinions often override patient's will in Chinese society. The value of family is so emphasized that sometimes we would overlook the individual. Since we do not have Patient Self-determination Act, very often the decision makings are made by family members rather than the patients.
Case Report 2: Patient Self-determination
A terminally lung cancer man with bone, liver, and brain metastasis was admitted in ICU through his children's requests. The fortune teller told the four children that they would be rich if their father would die in a specific time. This patient was 87 years old and had hypertension and heart disease other than cancer. Before that specific time, this patient had several times cardiac arrest and receive about 1000 amples of Bosmin. Finally, the specific time came and the family asked the doctor to pull out all of tubes including respirator and let him die.
Discussion: How do we protect the patient self-determination right?
