The Gulf Between; Surrogate Choices Physician Instructions, and Informal Network Respones

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Abstract
Healthcare Providers advising patient surrogates on the appropriateness of continued care for comatose patients have often been sharply criticized for coercive behavior toward patient surrogates; with failing to provide them with adequate information; and for a general failure to adequately cinsider the cimplex needs and hopes of patients, their surrogates, and caregivers. Because decisions on the continuation or withdrawal of care (for example where tube feeding or respiratory assistance are required for nonresponsive patients) often need the legal approval of surrogates the failure of both medical personnel and patient families to understand each other's priorities may lead to ethical and interpersonal conflict.

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