Oxford-Trained Physician/Documentary Filmmaker Available for Comment on Schiavo Case
Dr. Joshua Kreiss, an Oxford-trained social anthropologist, physician and filmmaker is available for comment on the Terri Schiavo controversy. Kreiss is the creator of an educational documentary film which addresses how individuals can avoid the type of situation that Terri Schiavo and her family now face.
(PRWEB) March 25, 2005
During his medical training, Dr. Kreiss was alarmed by how few patients had made their end-of-life care wishes known in writing to their physicians and families. Kreiss found that even patients with terminal illnesses often overlooked the importance of documenting these wishes. Compelled by his firsthand experiences, Kreiss produced this film to alert people of all ages to the need for early consideration and decision making in writing.
What: Advance Medical Directives: Something to think about... is a new and timely educational documentary, produced by Joshua Kreiss, M. D., M. Phil, physician and filmmaker. The 14-minute film demonstrates the importance of clarifying end-of-life wishes before a medical event.
The documentary provides concrete information about how to ensure that a person's end-of-life wishes are known. Those wishes, if documented properly, should direct the end-of-life care one receives. The film features real patients in real life circumstances as well as expert opinions from physicians and nurses. This film, Apple a Day Films' most recent release, can be previewed, along with endorsements, and purchased on line at http://www. appleadayfilms. com (http://www. appleadayfilms. com).
Who: Dr. Kreiss is a 32-year-old graduate of Haverford College, Oxford University's Institute of Social and Cultural Anthropology and graduate of Brown Medical School.
Endorsed by the Rhode Island Attorneys General, Department of Elderly Affairs, and Center for Biomedical Ethics at Brown University, the film was shown by AG Patrick Lynch at the National Association of Attorney General (NAAG) meeting last week. Lynch said, "It's a truly useful health care video...an important step to educating the public about the importance of advance care planning."
Dr. Kreiss said, "Do you think Terri Schiavo at 26 expected to suffer from heart failure and spend fifteen years in a persistent vegetative state? I've seen many cases that began with an unexpected visit to the emergency room and evolved into a prolonged stay in the intensive care unit. We should learn from the very difficult circumstances surrounding the decision to prolong or end Terri Schiavo's life. It is our right to accept or refuse appropriate medical treatment. Some may want all medical procedures used while others may not."
Dr. Kreiss is available for appearances by calling Rita Tennyson, Terpin Communications, (310) 821-6100 x104, rita@terpin. com.
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