Figure 1).

Perceived responsible parties for inappropriate life-prolonging treatment. This figure shows what person or persons were believed to be responsible for ongoing inappropriate life-prolonging treatment when a respondent answered ‘no’ to question 5 (Do you feel the patient wants the level of treatment he or she is receiving?) or ‘yes’ to the question 6 (Do you feel the most appropriate management at this time is to withdraw life support?). The respondent was asked if the ongoing provision of this treatment is the result of (pick one): 1. Decision of the family or substitute decision maker FOR CULTURAL REASONS; 2. Decision of the family or substitute decision maker FOR OTHER REASONS; 3. Decision of the intensive care unit (ICU) physician; 4. Disagreement between medical services. ‘Cultural’ was the perception by the respondent that the family was basing their action on cultural beliefs