‘대한의사협회 연명치료 중지에 관한 지침(2009)’에 대한 한국 중환자 전담의사의 인식

In order to promote the dignity of terminal patients and improve end-of-life care (EOL care) in Korea, consensus guidelines to the withdrawal of life-sustaining therapies (LST) were published in October, 2009. The goal of this study was to assess the level of awareness of the guideline among physicians working in intensive care units (ICUs) in Korea and to identify barriers to the application of the guidelines. We surveyed 81 physicians working in ICUs in Korea. 32.1% of respondents were unaware of the guideline and 65.4% of respondents thought that the guidelines were not practical in the context of their ICUs. This study found that the biggest obstacle to the application of the guidelines was the lack of legal support. Ethical reasoning does not often work to resolve issues surrounding EOL care in Korean culture. In order to protect and enhance the dignity and autonomy of terminal patients, the improvement of the national health care system, more practical guidelines, and further social consultation are needed.