| Theme | Diversified Frontier of Dialysis Therapy -- We Can Change | |
|---|---|---|
| Title | Can physician guide decisions on the withdrawal from dialysis? | |
| Publish Date | 2011/01 | |
| Author | Takashi Harada | Sakuramachi Hospital |
| Author | Asuka Shibahara | Sakuramachi Hospital |
| Author | Ayuko Haneda | Sakuramachi Hospital |
| Author | Rika Eto | Sakuramachi Hospital |
| Author | Yuko Maruyama | Sakuramachi Hospital |
| Author | Satoshi Funakoshi | Sakuramachi Clinic |
| [ Summary ] | An increasing number of patients who are elderly and suffer from a variety of comorbid conditions are choosing voluntary withdrawal from dialysis. All patients have the personal and legal rights to discontinue medical therapies. These patients often choose death with dignity. Renal care teams should attempt to obtain written advance directives from all dialysis patients. A patient-physician partnership which promotes shared decision-making is recommended for all patients with end stage renal failure. It is necessary to develop guidelines concerning shared decision-making in relation to the withholding or withdrawal from dialysis. | |