Living Wills
Wills
Right to Die
Mental Competency
Advance Directives
Attitude to Death
Withholding Treatment
Personal Autonomy
A review of the 'Statistical Analysis for Genetic Epidemiology' (S.A.G.E.) software package. (1/12)
The 'Statistical Analysis for Genetic Epidemiology' (S.A.G.E.) software package is an integrated, comprehensive package of computer programs designed to perform many of the different analyses required in the study of genetic epidemiology. It offers a graphical user interface for most platforms and, unlike many programs available in the public domain, is flexible in both receiving many types of input files and in allowing the user to choose among output files. All of the programs accept the same data files and together provide the means to perform familial correlation, segregation, linkage and association analyses, as well as many of the ancillary analyses that help achieve these goals. Many, but not all, of the same or similar analyses can be performed (with more difficulty) using publicly available freeware. The primary limitations of S.A.G.E. at present are the lack of software for estimating haplotypes or for identifying probable double recombinants in linkage analysis. S.A.G.E. is continually being extended and upgraded, however, with automatic downloading of the latest version always available to users. (+info)Genotypic features of lentivirus transgenic mice. (2/12)
(+info)Medical reasons for retrospective challenges of testamentary capacity. (3/12)
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to establish the morbidity structure among testators whose wills were challenged as well as to reveal if there is a specific relationship between certain diagnostic categories in the testators' health status and forensic psychiatry expert opinion on testamentary incapacity. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The authors analyzed 156 consecutive forensic psychiatry reports on retrospective, determination of testamentary capacity made in the Forensic Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Belgrade in the period 1965 - 2005. The wills covered by this study were mostly made by male, 65 years old or older testators, with primary education, who executed a holograph will and survived it for less than a year. RESULTS: Testamentary incapacity for medical reasons was established in 47% of the testators, while a strong, statistically significant relationship between a diagnostic category and testamentary incapacity was established among the testators suffering from an organic mental disorder (Chi-square=133.256, p=0.000) or a substance induced mental disorder (Chi-square=6.971, p=0.008). CONCLUSION: Testamentary capacity is a specific focus of medical assessment given that the evidence for overturning a will is generally dependent upon medical assessment. In that respect, much litigation and expenses could be avoided if medical experts were given a chance to correctly assess the testamentary capacity of a person at the time of making a will. The fact remains that our findings may not be a representative cross-section of the general population, and this important issue certainly deserves to be addressed by future research based on a larger sample. (+info)Land inheritance establishes sibling competition for marriage and reproduction in rural Ethiopia. (4/12)
(+info)The expression of preaxial polydactyly is influenced by modifying genetic elements and is not maintained by chromosomal inversion in an avian biomedical model. (5/12)
(+info)Testamentary capacity of the schizophrenic patient. (6/12)
Testamentary capacity refers to an individual's capability to write his or her own will. Psychiatrists are required occasionally to give expert opinions regarding the testamentary capacity of individuals with a medical history or suspected diagnosis of a mental illness. This may stem from the patient/lawyer/ family initiative to explore the current capacity to testate in anticipation of a possible challenge, or may be sought when testamentary capacity of a deceased has been challenged. In this article we examine the medico-legal construct of testamentary capacity of the schizophrenic patient, and discuss the various clinical situations specific to schizophrenic patients, highlighting their impact on the medical opinion regarding testamentary capacity through examining the rulings of Israel's Supreme Court in a specific case where the testamentary capacity of a mentally ill individual who was challenged postmortem, and provide a workable framework for the physician to evaluate the capacity of a schizophrenic patient to write a will.. (+info)Competent for what? (7/12)
As the United States population ages, psychiatrists will have increasing requests for consultations to address legal issues involving older persons. Following an overview of competency as a distinct legal issue, specific legal issues are addressed that include hospitalization, consent or refusal of treatment, living will legislation, and guardianship and conservatorship. Relevant cases are cited. (+info)Withholding or withdrawing extraordinary life support. Optimizing rights and limiting liability. (8/12)
For many years physicians, ethicists and members of the legal community have attempted to minimize ambiguity and unpredictability in making decisions to withhold or withdraw extraordinary life support. Recent developments in national and California law now afford medical care providers unparalleled protection from criminal and civil liability in surrogate decision-making situations. They also reinforce the concept of patient's rights by providing medical care consumers with new and effective mechanisms for enforcing their "right to decide," even after they have lost decision-making capacity. A case in point is California's new Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care, which serves as a model for other jurisdictions that do not have such legislation. Thus, the medical and legal professions, working together, can contribute immeasurably to respectful medical decision making by educating the public about these developments and by adopting policies that reinforce these rights. (+info)A Living Will, also known as an Advance Directive or Advanced Health Care Directive, is a legal document that outlines a person's wishes regarding their medical treatment and end-of-life care in the event that they become unable to make decisions for themselves due to incapacitation. It typically includes instructions about whether to use life-sustaining treatments, such as mechanical ventilation or artificial nutrition and hydration, when there is no reasonable hope of recovery.
The purpose of a Living Will is to provide guidance to healthcare providers and family members regarding medical decisions that align with the individual's values, beliefs, and preferences. It is important to note that a Living Will only becomes effective under specific circumstances, such as when a person is diagnosed with a terminal illness or is in a persistent vegetative state.
It is recommended that individuals consult with an attorney or legal expert to ensure their Living Will meets the legal requirements of their state and accurately reflects their wishes. Additionally, it is essential to discuss these decisions with family members and healthcare providers to ensure everyone understands the person's preferences for medical care.
I believe there may be some confusion in your question. "Wills" is a term that pertains to legal declarations of how an individual's property and assets should be distributed after their death, rather than a medical concept. It would be best if you could clarify or rephrase your question for me to provide an accurate response.
However, in the context of medicine, there are terms such as "free will" and "informed consent," which refer to patients' autonomy and decision-making capacity regarding their healthcare choices. If this is what you meant to ask about, please let me know, and I would be happy to provide more information on those topics.
"Right to Die" is not a medical term per se, but it's a concept that has significant implications in medical ethics and patient care. It generally refers to the right of a competent, terminally ill individual to choose to end their life in a humane and dignified manner, usually through physician-assisted suicide or euthanasia. This decision is typically made when the individual experiences unbearable suffering and believes that death is preferable to continued living.
The right to die raises complex ethical, legal, and medical issues related to autonomy, informed consent, palliative care, and end-of-life decision-making. It's important to note that while some jurisdictions have laws allowing physician-assisted suicide or euthanasia under specific circumstances, others do not, reflecting the ongoing debate about this issue in society.
Mental competency, also known as mental capacity, is a legal term that refers to a person's ability to make informed decisions and understand the nature and consequences of their actions. In a medical context, mental competency is often assessed in patients who are making decisions about their own medical care, such as whether to consent to a particular treatment or procedure.
A determination of mental competency typically involves an evaluation of a person's ability to:
* Understand and retain information about their medical condition and the proposed treatment
* Evaluate the risks and benefits of different treatment options
* Make and communicate a clear and consistent decision based on this information
* Understand the potential consequences of their decision
Mental competency can be affected by various factors, including mental illness, cognitive impairment, substance abuse, or developmental disabilities. A healthcare provider may seek a formal evaluation of a patient's mental competency if there are concerns about their ability to make informed decisions about their care. This evaluation may involve input from psychiatrists, psychologists, or other mental health professionals.
It is important to note that mental competency is not the same as legal competency, which refers to a person's ability to understand and participate in legal proceedings. A person may be deemed mentally competent for medical purposes but not for legal purposes, or vice versa.
Advance directives are legal documents that allow individuals to express their wishes and preferences regarding medical treatment in the event that they become unable to make decisions for themselves due to serious illness or injury. These documents typically include a living will, which outlines the types of treatments an individual wants or doesn't want to receive in specific circumstances, and a healthcare power of attorney, which designates a trusted person to make medical decisions on their behalf.
Advance directives are an important tool for ensuring that individuals receive the medical care they desire, even when they cannot communicate their wishes themselves. They can also help to prevent family members from having to make difficult decisions about medical treatment without knowing what their loved one would have wanted. It is important for individuals to discuss their advance directives with their healthcare providers and loved ones to ensure that everyone understands their wishes and can carry them out if necessary.
"Attitude to Death" is not a medical term per se, but it does refer to an individual's perspective, feelings, and beliefs about death and dying. It can encompass various aspects such as fear, acceptance, curiosity, denial, or preparation. While not a medical definition, understanding a person's attitude to death can be relevant in healthcare settings, particularly in palliative and end-of-life care, as it can influence their decisions and experiences around their own mortality.
"Withholding treatment" in a medical context refers to the deliberate decision not to provide or initiate certain medical treatments, interventions, or procedures for a patient. This decision is typically made after considering various factors such as the patient's wishes, their overall prognosis, the potential benefits and burdens of the treatment, and the patient's quality of life.
The reasons for withholding treatment can vary widely, but some common reasons include:
* The treatment is unlikely to be effective in improving the patient's condition or extending their life.
* The treatment may cause unnecessary discomfort, pain, or suffering for the patient.
* The patient has expressed a desire not to receive certain treatments, particularly if they are deemed to be burdensome or of little benefit.
* The cost of the treatment is prohibitive and not covered by insurance, and the patient cannot afford to pay out-of-pocket.
It's important to note that withholding treatment does not mean abandoning the patient or providing substandard care. Rather, it involves making thoughtful and informed decisions about the most appropriate course of action for a given situation, taking into account the patient's individual needs and preferences.
"Personal Autonomy" is not a medical term per se, but it is often used in medical ethics and patient care. It refers to the ability of an individual to make informed decisions about their own health and healthcare, based on their own values, beliefs, and preferences, without undue influence or coercion from others. This includes the right to accept or refuse medical treatment, to maintain confidentiality, and to participate in shared decision-making with healthcare providers. Personal autonomy is recognized as a fundamental principle in medical ethics and patient rights, and is protected by laws and regulations in many countries.
Terminal care, also known as end-of-life care or palliative care, is a type of medical care provided to patients who are in the final stages of a terminal illness or condition. The primary goal of terminal care is to provide comfort, dignity, and quality of life for the patient, rather than attempting to cure the disease or prolong life.
Terminal care may involve managing pain and other symptoms, providing emotional and psychological support to both the patient and their family, and helping the patient plan for the end of their life. This can include discussing advance directives, hospice care options, and other important decisions related to end-of-life care.
The focus of terminal care is on ensuring that the patient's physical, emotional, and spiritual needs are met in a compassionate and supportive manner. It is an essential component of high-quality medical care for patients who are facing the end of their lives.
Palliative care is a type of medical care that focuses on relieving the pain, symptoms, and stress of serious illnesses. The goal is to improve quality of life for both the patient and their family. It is provided by a team of doctors, nurses, and other specialists who work together to address the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs of the patient. Palliative care can be provided at any stage of an illness, alongside curative treatments, and is not dependent on prognosis.
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines palliative care as: "an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing the problems associated with life-threatening illness, through the prevention and relief of suffering by means of early identification and impeccable assessment and treatment of pain and other problems, physical, psychological and spiritual."