machines artificially prolonging life, but simple comfort or palliative care
aimed at relieving symptoms and controlling pain.
In addition to a living will and designated power of attorney, Jim
recommended a Physician Order for Life-Sustaining Treatment form (POLST),
which is honored by 911 responders and follows you to the hospital. Many,
but not all, states now have POLST legislation. This form is most appropriate
when in the last year of life. It is filled out in consultation with your doctor and
signed by both of you. The form should be prominently displayed in case 911
is called, plus copies should be given to your doctor, lawyer and family.
Medical Ethics
Given the amazing advances in medical technology, physicians have more
and more things they can do, and increasingly hard questions about what they
should do – what is the right thing to do.
Medical ethics – all those decisions about the right thing to do – has
become a framework for modern medical practice. Kidney dialysis was the
medical development that first drove the formation of Ethics Committees in
hospitals. Now every hospital has a Medical Ethics Committee or consultant.
At Jim’s hospital in Seattle, committee members read through its principles
at every meeting, using them as a basis in developing standard methodologies.
As with the Hippocratic Oath, the aim of bioethics is still: what is the least
harm?
Jim expressed gratitude to Bishop Alfred Acton (present at the Retreat)
for providing him with spiritual principles from the Writings. These take
precedence over moral laws, and should help to guide the best possible
decisions.
Clinical ethics are critical to such relatively modern issues as abortion,
AIDS, organ transplants and premature babies. Ethical considerations include:
determining the right thing to do; honoring personal moral and religious
values, as well as professional principles; patient rights; the law; and such
values as virtue, honesty, integrity and respect.
Ethical or Spiritual Wills
This is a relatively new consideration: What legacy do you want to leave to
your loved ones, and what values do you want to pass on?
Jim read an example – a letter written by his mother to his father, found
after she had passed away, which beautifully expressed her love for him and
their family, and her hopes for them. It is a treasured last gift from her. (See an
excerpt in Life Lines, page 202.)
We pass on a lot of our possessions through wills. A spiritual will is a
wonderful and incredibly meaningful gift to a spouse and family. Some people
even leave videos now – a powerful and personal way to pass on a legacy.
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