The article explains the role of hospital ethics consultants in helping patients, families, and medical teams navigate complex end-of-life and medical decision-making scenarios where values, autonomy, and medical necessity conflict.

The Conversation

End-of-life decisions can be complicated, and ethics consultants may help families and care teams navigate them. LPETTET/E+/Getty Images
Imagine the following scenarios: 
A surgeon prepares to amputate a patient’s foot to save his life, but the patient refuses the procedure. His decline in thinking and memory raises doubts about his ability to consent, and he has no family or friends to help with the decision.
A 17-year-old declines a liver transplant, while her mother insists on going forward w