Table 4 Ethical reasoning in consensus finding

… the patient’s will

positive and consenting will as decisive for the implementation or continuation of a medical therapy

expressed by the patient himself/herself

1

11

assumed to be his/her presumed will

2

natural will

1

patient’s will lead to a limitation of therapy

"living will"

4

assumed to be his/her presumed will

3

… the patient’s best interest

implementation or continuation would serve

the patient’s best interest

1

10

presumed will does not exclude this therapy

3

realistic chance that the patient’s health situation would improve, enabling him/her to decide

1

presumed consent

3

implementation or continuation would not serve the patient’s best interest

2

Participants assessed differently whether the patient was able to consent

1

Participants assessed differently what the patient’s will would be or what would be in his/her best interest

1

Uncertainty among the treating physicians regarding the prognosis

4