Attitudes of Dialysis Unit Physicians with Regard to Withholding and Withdrawing Dialysis

Purpose:In many countries, patients and dialysis unit physicians attempt to address issues regarding withholding and withdrawing dialysis through advance directives and clinical guidelines for dialysis utilization. However, there are only a few reports of withholding and withdrawing dialysis in Korea. This study was developed to investigate the attitudes of dialysis unit physicians regarding withholding and withdrawing dialysis in Korea. Methods:A questionnaire survey was conducted among 45 dialysis unit physicians from January, 2006 to January, 2008. Physicians were asked about their decision making process to withhold and withdraw dialysis, and their opinions regarding the necessities of advance directives and guidelines for withholding and withdrawing dialysis. Results:Analysis of surveys revealed that physicians agreed more about whether to withhold and withdraw dialysis in vegetative patients compared to patients with dementia (p