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. 2013 May;80(2):103-38.
doi: 10.1179/0024363913Z.00000000027.

The POLST paradigm and form:Facts and analysis

Christian Brugger  1 , Louis C Breschi  2 , Edith Mary Hart  3 , Mark Kummer  4 , John I Lane  5 , Peter T Morrow  6 , Franklin L Smith  7 , William L Toffler  8 , Marisa Beffel  9 , John F Brehany  10 , Sara Buscher  11 , Rita L Marker  12
Affiliations

The POLST paradigm and form:Facts and analysis

Christian Brugger et al. Linacre Q. 2013 May.

Abstract

This white paper, prepared by a working group of the Catholic Medical Association, provides a commentary on a new type of end-of-life document called a POLST form (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) as well as on its model (or "paradigm") for implementation across the United States. After an introductory section reviewing the origin, goals, and standard defenses of the POLST paradigm and form, the paper offers a critical analysis of POLST, including an analysis of the risks that POLST poses to sound clinical and ethical decision-making. The paper ends with several recommendations to help Catholic healthcare professionals and institutions better address the challenges of end-of-life care with alternatives to POLST.

Keywords: Advance decision-making; Advance directive; Catholic health care; End of life care; Euthanasia; In-the-moment-of-need medical decision-making; Living will; POLST.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
State of Oregon POLST Form.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
State of West Virginia POST Form.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Briggs L. 2003. Shifting the focus of advance care planning: using an in-depth interview to build and strengthen relationships. Innovations in End-of-Life Care 5: http://www.edc.org/lastacts - PubMed
    1. Brugger E. C. 2011. A Critique of the National POLST Paradigm through an analysis of Colorado's new MOST Legislation. The Linacre Quarterly 78: 157–71, esp. 158–61. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Brugger E. C., et al. 2012. POLST and Catholic Health Care. Ethics & Medics 37:2.
    1. CANHR Policy Brief. 2010. Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment (“POLST”) – Problems and Recommendations. A Special Report by California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform, San Francisco, CA, http://www.canhr.org/reports/2010/POLST_WhitePaper.pdf.
    1. Coleman G. D., McLean M. R. 2012. POLST supports care in context of ERDs. Health Progress: Journal of the Catholic Health Association of the United States 58–65. - PubMed

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