Issues at the edge of life: a case report.

A 78-year-old man suffered a non-terminal cerebrovascular accident and was admitted to the in-hospital service of a family practice teaching unit. His family requested that he be allowed to die, in order to honor his previously expressed wishes and to spare him the "indignities of intervention". They were informed that treatment was relatively simple and non-invasive, but remained adamant. The case is discussed from the perspectives of the attending physician and a physician observer, who witnessed the 'ripple effect' that the case had on staff and students of the teaching unit.