Caring for patients at the end of life is a privilege. Physicians have a responsibility to help patients define their goals for care and to respect patients' preferences.

Caring for patients at the end of life

Code of Medical Ethics Opinions: Caring for patients at the end of life

• Advance care planning: Opinion E-5.1
• Advance directives: Opinion E-5.2
• Withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining treatment: Opinion E-5.3
• Orders not to attempt resuscitation (DNAR): Opinion E-5.4
• Medically ineffective interventions: Opinion E-5.5
• Sedation to unconsciousness in end-of-life care: Opinion E-5.6
• Physician-assisted suicide: Opinion E-5.7
• Euthanasia: Opinion E-5.8

Code of Medical Ethics Opinions: Chapter 5 (PDF)

AMA Code of Medical Ethics

Visit the Code of Medical Ethics page to access additional Opinions, the Principles of Medical Ethics and a list of CME courses that are available.

These Opinions are offered as ethics guidance for physicians and are not intended to establish standards for clinical practice or rules of law.