European journal of anaesthesiology
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The French legislature passed a law in 2005 that assigns a new role to the physician and redefines his liability in end-of-life decisions. ⋯ Respect for patients' consent implies the possibility that they may refuse medical care, creating an ethical and legal dilemma of providing medical care or respecting the patients' wishes. The key issue concerning end-of-life patients rests in the decisions taken concerning the continuation or withdrawal of life support and the administration of palliative care.