Case studies of legal issues end of life | SOCW 6204 – Medical Social Work I | Walden University

Post an explanation of how you as a medical social worker would handle the case you selected. Explain the services you might offer to the family within the applicable laws and your scope of practice. Explain the methods and practices you might employ to educate this family regarding the legal issues surrounding the case. Then, explain the purpose, benefits, and legal ramifications of living wills, medical power of attorney, and advance directives. Finally, explain the advocacy role you might play on behalf of the patient and patient’s family in this case.

Be sure to support your postings and responses with specific references to the resources and the current literature using appropriate APA format and style.

CASE study

Roger is a 43-year-old African American male diagnosed with HIV/AIDS and renal failure. He was recently admitted to the intensive care unit and put on a ventilator due to medical deterioration. The doctors inform his wife that there is no chance that his condition will improve and explain that he is being kept alive by the machines. Roger’s wife is distraught but knows that Roger did not want to be kept alive by a machine. The medical social worker goes to Roger’s chart and finds his medical power of attorney. Roger’s wife is listed as his agent; however, the document was not signed by two witnesses as required.