The Japanese Journal of Clinical Dialysis Vol.25 No.12(3-3)

Theme Informed Consent and Preparation on Renal Replacement Therapy for Patients with End Stage Renal Disease
Title Bioethical aspects of dialysis for elderly or cancer patients
Publish Date 2009/11
Author Yasuhiko Miura Nomura Hospital
Author Kazuto Inaba School of Law, Chukyo University
[ Summary ] Various problems concerning medical ethics such as initiation or termination of life sustaining treatment are becoming social problems. At the same time, the importance of palliative care and hospice care are becoming widely recognized by the general population.
With the progress that has been made in dialysis therapy, dialysis has come to be available for cancer patients and elderly patients. However, there are few medical ethical guidelines for this therapy in Japan. Therefore, in this report, the US guidelines termed "Shared Decision-Making in the Appropriate Initiation of and Withdrawal from Dialysis" are introduced, along with the real life aspects of Ethics Consultation in Japan.
back