PHIL 27 Chapter Notes - Chapter 14: Atul Gawande, Lung, Chemotherapy
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Cost of healthcare: 25% of medicare spending for the 5% of patients in the final year of life; most money goes to the last months, ultimately, death comes, and no one is good at knowing when to stop . Most icu patients in their 70s/80s with terminal illnesses (4) Patients know their state, but patients/families/doctors unprepared for final stage. Spending one"s final days in an icu because of terminal illness is for most people a kind of failure . 12. lie on ventilator, organs shutting down, mind failing people have concerns besides simply prolonging their lives. 13. top priorities of terminal patients: avoid suffering, be with family, having the touch of others, being mentally aware, not a burden to others. 15. current medical system fails to meet these priorities cost of failure not only in money, but also in the well-being of patients (5)
