Conflicted Caregivers

To the Editor: The clinical case conference by Nada L. Stotland, M.D., M.P.H. (1), was truly heartrending. It occurred to me that the real difference between the determined believer, the patient, and all the frustrated caregivers was not so much that their value systems were contrary. The real difference was that the patient was willing not only to risk but to actually lay down her life for her sincere convictions. None of the caregivers was willing to go so far; not only did the caregivers not risk their lives, but they also escaped legal, financial, and career repercussions that would have followed had they proceeded in doing what was clinically necessary to save her life.