>>Finally, when communications break down between ER doctor and patient/parent, do you believe that the patient/parent loses authority to the doctor in a case such as this? <<
Many doctors think it does.
I dealt with one of those last Oct. and I will never forget the telephone screaming match started BY the oncologist btw. In the end I would not back down and my mother achieved her dying wish which was to see my brother who was in the air on his way from Europe. That doctror met her brick wall when she met me.
I have little faith or trust in doctors now, certainly not with end of life issues.
PS. Mother did not die until Jan, but would have been gone that Oct night if the dr had had her way. Over medicated, suffering from pneumonia with a doctor who did not want to do anything further to treat.