Abstract
It was the fourth time that the International Association of Medicine of the Person was to meet in the Czech Republic (near Marienbad in Bohemia in the ancient convent of Teplá). During the three study days, we considered the situations where decisions had to be taken on behalf of the patient who is unable to express himself or take those decisions for him or herself.
In our daily work as doctors, we have learned to take into account the opinions of the patient as much as possible as we make decisions on their behalf. What does it mean to have to take these important decisions for the patient, their relatives, doctors and carers, as far as the law is concerned and more? We will hear the thoughts of the palliative care physician, the intensivist and the psychiatrist, but also the pediatric specialist in social medicine and Tom Fryers who will consider ethical and theological aspects of this topic.
Three bible studies will give us the opportunity to ask ourselves questions about our responsibility for the whole person; body, mind and spirit.