Citation

Burck JR, Vena M, Jolicoeur M, Jolicoeur LE. Phys. Med. Rehabil. Clin. N. Am. 2007; 18(1): 1-25, v.

Affiliation

Department of Religion, Health, and Human Values, Rush University Medical Center, 1018A Academic Center, 600 S. Paulina Street, Chicago IL 60612, USA. russell_burck@rush.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.pmr.2006.10.001

PMID

17292810

Abstract

Many people who sustain a brain injury also lose decisional capacity. They need someone who will be a partner with clinicians in making decisions on their behalf. This article reviews ethical aspects of decision making; the legal foundation in the United States for surrogate decision making; the experience of surrogate decision making on behalf of people who have a brain injury, including similarities and differences between such decision making for the dying and for those who have a brain injury; and ways to approach intractable disagreements between surrogate or family and clinicians. It provides guidelines for clinicians and surrogates and suggests topics for research. Two people who have suffered a brain injury and the spouse of one are coauthors.

Language: en