Conceptual reason | Neurologist responses (n = 192) | 95% Confidence interval |
---|---|---|
Higher brain concept | 93 (48%) | 41-55% |
   Irreversible loss of consciousness | 82 (43%) | 36-50% |
   Irreversible loss of the soul or "essence" of humans | 39 (20%) | 15-27% |
   Irreversible loss of "personhood" | 43 (22%) | 17-29% |
Irreversible loss of the integration of body functions by the brain | 52 (27%) | 21-34% |
Prognosis concept | 59 (31%) | 25-38% |
   The certainty of cardiac arrest within hours or days | 14 (7%) | 4-12% |
   Further care is futile and/or degrading | 53 (28%) | 22-34% |
Restatement of loss of brain function (the criterion) | 169 (88%) | 83-92% |
   Irreversible loss of the function of the entire brain/brainstem | 140 (73%) | 66-79% |
   Irreversible loss of the critical functions of the entire brain/brainstem | 105 (55%) | 48-62% |
   Irreversible destruction of the brain, including the brainstem | 109 (57%) | 50-64% |
Irreversible loss of the capacity for consciousness plus irreversible loss of the capacity to breathe | 83 (43%) | 36-50% |
Cessation of the vital work of the organism | 22 (12%) | 8-17% |