ABSTRACT
Trends in the increasing number of patients requiring long-term mechanical ventilation (LMV) are universal, with no exceptions in the Asia Pacific area. Patient characteristics and clinical outcomes are essentially the same as those in the industrialized countries (1,2). Because of the inherent diversity of cultures and socioeconomic status, the Asia Pacific area has its unique issues to address regarding health services and the medical ethics of LMV. In this chapter, we will illustrate some of these issues, as they are experienced in Taiwan and we will highlight some of the challenges that they present.
