Journal of clinical forensic medicine
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Trauma is a significant cause of death and suffering in society and there is strong evidence that mortality and morbidity may be reduced by provision of effective medical care through a trauma care system. It is reasonable to believe that severely injured patients should be transported as quickly as possible to a center where definitive medical care is possible. Conversely, it is also an argument that the resources of a trauma center must not be overwhelmed by assessment and treatment of minor trauma for patients who could be reasonably expected to do well with care in a clinic or a primary care hospital. ⋯ However, the goal in setting triage criteria to provide a protocol for properly categorising injured patients, transporting them to appropriate hospitals, and ensuring an appropriate response to all trauma patients is yet to be achieved. Whatever the reasons and rate of failure due to different reasons, it is not unusual to read the reports wherein the quality of care becomes suspect in an increasingly litigious society. This paper examines the evolution of triage systems in trauma care from a forensic viewpoint.
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J Clin Forensic Med · Jun 2004
ReviewThe end of life decisions -- should physicians aid their patients in dying?
Decisions pertaining to end of life whether legalized or otherwise, are made in many parts of the world but not reported on account of legal implications. The highly charged debate over voluntary euthanasia and physician assisted suicide was brought into the public arena again when two British doctors confessed to giving lethal doses of drugs to hasten the death of terminally ill patients. ⋯ Debate among the medical practitioners, law makers and the public taking into consideration the cultural, social and religious ethos will lead to increased awareness, more safeguards and improvement of medical decisions concerning the end of life. International Human Rights Law can provide a consensual basis for such a debate on euthanasia.