End of Life Decision-making

In 2009, the Consortium received a $25,000 federal grant to collaborate with UCSF faculty on a research project intended to identify legal barriers to end of life decision making. The research entailed a comprehensive, fifty-state survey of statutes, regulations, and case law which bear upon an individual's right to determine his or her own course of care at the end of life. Although the research highlighted barriers posed to the public at large, there was a special focus on the unique needs of vulnerable populations in this context.

The project resulted in a medical-legal publication in the Annals of Internal Medicine in January 2011.  See the press release from UCSF for this publication.

Flowing from this research is an initiative to develop a medical-legal clinic which will provide pro bono services to low income elders and their families relating to end of life decision-making. With coordinated medical and legal efforts, patients and their families will be empowered to understand and direct their end of life care, and given the dignity and respect they deserve.