The Sanctity of Social Life: Physicians' Treatment of Critically Ill Patients

by Diana Crane, Charles D. Cook

Overview

Reexamines the nature of death and dying as seen from the physician's point of view. Unlike other treatments of the subject, this study is concerned not with what physician's should do for the critically ill, but with their actual behavior. Based on extensive interviews with physicians in several medical specialties, more than 3000 questionnaires completed by physicians in four specialties, and studies of the records of actual hospital patients, the book shows that while withdrawal of treatment in certain types of cases is widespread, euthanasia is rare.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780871542090
Publisher:	Russell Sage Foundation
Publication date:	06/01/1975
Pages:	285
Product dimensions:	6.30(w) x 9.06(h) x (d)

About the Author

DIANA CRANE is associate professor of sociology at the University of Pennsylvania.

Editorial Reviews

Recent technological advances have affected every aspect of modern life, including the process of dying. . . . Although a number of dilemmas affecting patient, family, and medical staff result from the trend, Diana Crane focuses primarily upon the physician’s response in the present volume. . . . The purpose of her book is to report the results of an inquiry regarding physician attitudes toward the prolongation and termination of life. . . . The Sancity of Social Life is very well written in a non-jargony manner. The issues are clearly elaborated and . . . portrayed through the case studies.” —Larry A. Bugen, Contemporary Sociology

From the Publisher