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They describe it as if it were a bad thing, doctors "refusing" to pull the plug, etc. Maybe a trend is starting...

Many doctors feel they have no ethical obligation to inform patients about controversial medical practices or to make referrals to doctors who think differently, according to a survey of physicians by University of Chicago researchers.

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"Some doctors see it as a comfort to the patient," he said, "but others may see it as taking an active role in ending the patient's life." The thorniest question, he said, is whether a patient should continue to receive food and water intravenously after sedation. The uproar that ensued in 2005 when doctors removed the feeding tube of Terri Schiavo, a brain-damaged woman from Florida, evidenced the strong feelings surrounding the issue.

Under a Maryland law known as the "conscience clause," doctors, nurses and pharmacists are not required to perform or participate in a medical procedure they find objectionable. Also, they are not obligated to refer a patient to another health care professional.

Doctors saying no on moral grounds... Survey says many withhold information, referrals for abortion, terminal sedation

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They don't seem to realize Terri was not dying when the plug was pulled...

Our family decided to take the process a step further. We also chose to create a living trust and living wills. Our living wills ensure that our desires are followed concerning health care and life support. Instead of putting the burden on your child or spouse, make your desire known in advance. For example, how long would you want to be held on life support? I am reminded of the Terri Schiavo case in which the colliding desires of the husband and parents led to year of court battles over the removal of Schiavo's feeding tube. I don't want that to happen.

Each family's situation is different so make sure you talk to someone who has the legal knowledge. I've heard that the non-biological parent in a family doesn't automatically have the right to be the guardian for the family's children if the biological parent dies. This is another compelling reason to create the proper legal documents in advance.

These days, with our advanced technology, it doesn't have to be difficult to prepare your family with these documents. One easy way is through www.legalzoom.com – an online legal service center, where you answer questions online and attorneys create legal documents for you. Once the documents arrive in the mail, both you and witnesses need to sign the papers before you have them notarized.

Mommy Tales: Planning for end of life issues is a parental responsibility

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>> Many doctors feel they have no ethical obligation to inform patients about controversial medical practices...

Scarcely any reporters feel they have an ethical obligation to inform readers about controversial issues. On the contrary, nearly all of the delight in lying through their teeth. Remind me why anyone would trust a reporter?