When patients and family members say. "We want everything possible done."?

I would just like to respond to your question from a parent's perspective and a granddaughter's. Although it is always a huge factor, I don't believe money should be the issue where health care is concerned. However, I don't feel that everything should be done in a situation where there is nothing that can be done, regardless of age. A family should be told the whole truth and should be advised of all possible treatments and there consequences good or bad. Also, they should be told what the out come may be as far as can be determined. Only then can a family make an informed decision about their loved ones life. At the same time the family should take into consideration that "quality of life" is the decision maker. If you don't know the outcome, then everything should be done, In the case of a a 93 year old granny or a 16 year old baby girl, I don't believe anyone other than the family has the right to make such decisions. I am speaking from experience in both cases and I feel very strongly that if nothing can be done then nothing should be done. On the other hand, I also feel the only ones to make that decision is the family, Not doctors and not the government and not insurance companies. It is an emotional situation, but when given all the facts the family has the responsibility to make the right decision. Some families would not make an unselfish decision based on the facts, but doctor's don't always make the right call either. I don't believe that age should be the factor that makes one try or not try to save a life. As I said before, the fact that a person will be subjected to unnecessary treatments when there is no chance for survival or no quality of life should make the choice between treatment or letting them go in peace no matter how hard that may be. Naturally the doctor should be involved in the decision to the extent of giving the family their professional and personal opinion. I believe that most people can put their own feelings aside when given all the facts and do the right thing, as the family you wrote about did when you talked to them in a way that made them understand the futility of their cirstance even though they were so distraught. Communication between doctors and patients or family is very important.