Letter to the editor.Dear Editor: I struggled with Richard E. Thompson's article on Terri Schiavo Theresa Marie "Terri" Schiavo (December 3, 1963 – March 31, 2005), from St. Petersburg, Florida, United States was a woman who suffered brain damage and became dependent on a feeding tube. ("The Terri Schiavo Dilemma: An Ethics Report Card with a few Surprises," The Physician Executive, Vol. 31, #5, September/October 2005) and offer the following comments and questions: Did Dr. Thompson ask the students why Michael Schiavo did not divorce his wife and turn her care over to her willing parents? Loss of consortium does not equate with a right to end life support. Did Dr. Thompson poll his students with regard to their religious beliefs and political ideologies? The politically correct politically correct Politically sensitive adjective Referring to language reflecting awareness and sensitivity to another person's physical, mental, cultural, or other disadvantages or deviations from a norm; a person is not mentally retarded, but atmosphere on many of our nation's campuses can limit the rage of opinions offered in the classroom. A fundamental role of a civilized society is to protect those who cannot protect themselves. When you present in extremis [Latin, In extremity.] A term used in reference to the last illness prior to death. A causa mortis gift is made by an individual who is in extremis. in extremis (in ex-tree-miss) adj. facing imminent death. IN EXTREMIS. to my emergency department, we err on the side of life unless crystal clear advance directives accompany the patient. I agree that the resultant media circus was a travesty but I don't think the students are right to heap opprobrium OPPROBRIUM, civil law. Ignominy; shame; infamy. (q.v.) on all politicians for believing in one of Western civilzation's defining virtues. Sincerely, Robert H. Potts, Jr. MD, FACEP FACEP Fellow of the American College of Emergency Physicians President, Vail Valley Medical Staff Vail Valley Medical Center Vail, CO 81657 |
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