GENERAL INTERNAL MEDICINE

Know the authority of a durable power of attorney(POA).  

Explanation:

A durable power of attorney can make decisions when the patient cannot make decisions e.g. coma/confusion/delirium. The durable POA can override the decisions of everybody else - even those of the patient's heirs.

When faced with such a situation, the doctor is obliged to go along with the decisions of the durable power of attorney even if the people opposing the decision may be the patient's wife/mother/brother etc. The durable POA does not have to be a relative.

If the doctor feels an ulterior motive in the decision maker, he/she can request a court for an investigation.