Physicians' Refusal of Requested Treatment

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Abstract
The literature on physicians' refusal of patients' demands is sparse. Siegler,1 Brett and McCullough,2 and Leikin3 have reported on relatively uncontroversial issues in primary care, such as the denial of antibiotics for viral infections or the refusal of CAT scans for headaches that resolve with rest and aspirin. Brennan4 has described the refusal of a full resuscitation effort for a 58-year-old chronic alcoholic with worsening end-stage hepatorenal failure. Although the do-not-resuscitate order was contrary to the family's wishes, there is substantial evidence in the literature that attempts at cardiopulmonary resuscitation in certain categories of patients are invariably futile.5 6 7 8 9 In such . . .

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