About this resource
This American Medical Association article explains the ethical principles that shape end-of-life care and what every patient — and every caregiver speaking on a patient’s behalf — should understand about their rights. It is a clear, authoritative primer on advance care planning, patient autonomy, and the difficult treatment decisions that families often face without preparation.
A central message is that very few of the millions of Americans who die each year have documented their end-of-life wishes, leaving loved ones and clinicians to guess at the most consequential moments. The AMA’s Code of Medical Ethics affirms that patients have a fundamental right to make decisions about their own care, to change those decisions as circumstances evolve, and to request that life-sustaining treatments be withheld or withdrawn, including establishing do-not-resuscitate orders. These are recognized, lawful choices — not requests patients should feel reluctant to raise.
The article also stresses that good end-of-life care is holistic: it pairs clinical skill with social, psychological, and spiritual support built around what matters most to the individual and their family. It names a common communication gap in which patients, families, and clinicians each wait for someone else to start the conversation, and it points to practical tools, such as the Stanford Letter Project, that help people put their values into words.
For caregivers, this resource is a confidence builder. It clarifies what you can ask for, encourages you to start the conversation early, and underscores the importance of documenting wishes before a critical illness makes those discussions urgent.
What you'll get from this resource
- Patients have a recognized ethical and legal right to direct their own care, including refusing or stopping life-sustaining treatment.
- Very few Americans document their end-of-life wishes, so proactive advance care planning is essential.
- Quality end-of-life care is holistic — combining clinical, social, psychological, and spiritual support around the patient's values.
- Conversations often stall because everyone waits for someone else to begin; tools like the Stanford Letter Project help start them.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. The AMA Code of Medical Ethics recognizes a patient’s right to request that life-sustaining treatments be withheld or withdrawn and to establish do-not-resuscitate orders.
Most people never document their wishes, which forces families and clinicians to make decisions without guidance. Planning ahead ensures your values are honored.
The article notes that patients, families, and clinicians often each wait for the other. Anyone can and should initiate it — ideally well before a health crisis.
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