Table 1 Cases of requested ethics consultation (N = 60)

Judgment about life and death of patients who lacked decision-making capacity

27

Treatment refusal by patients (including cases in which the patients had decision-making capacity at that time)

9

Method of explanation and consent regarding the DNAR

3

Appropriateness of a truth-telling about diagnosis or prognosis

3

Terminal sedation

2

Patient’s demand for useless treatment

2

Privacy/disclosure of private information

2

Appropriateness of neonatal care

2

Problematic behavior of patients and families

2

Judgment about home terminal care

2

Appropriateness of using a placebo as a clinical treatment

1

How to hold ethical committees/conferences

1

Abortion

1

Occupational safety of health-care provider

1

Patient refusal of necessary consultation

1

Refusal of surgical treatment for patient with psychiatric disorder

1