Impact of the Cruzan Case on Medical Practice

Abstract

...In this paper we will limit our focus to how the decision in Cruzan is likely to affect the doctor-patient relationship, especially in the critical activities surrounding decision-making about the use of life sustaining treatments....Health care providers must become aware of the limits placed on our traditional decision-making by the statutes and court decisions applicable in a particular state. Individual providers and medicine, nursing and other health care organizations must become more active in cooperation with patient and legal interest groups, in working with state legislatures and courts to insure that states do not create legal barriers to good medical decision-making....