Substitute Decision Making in the Czech Republic - Looking of an Interpretational Key to be Useful in the Clinical Practice
Abstract
An overview of the current situation in 'substitute decision making' in the Czech Republic (CR) is presented. CR ratified (in 2001) the Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine (Oviedo Convention, 1997).
At present, the key practical question is to establish how the provisions contained in the Article 9 of the Convention "shall be taken into account". The author aims to outline the most important features of a reliable interpretational key to any patient's text authorising such (substitute) decision making.
He claims this key could be found in the careful evaluation of the whole of the patient's previous life and his/her personality. Then, establishing a strong, meaningful connection between the complex personal realities of the patient and the patient's "previously expressed wishes" text may lead to satisfactory solution in a concrete situation.