I've been in ICU. Only for approximately 24 hours, post craniotomy, for a surgical removal of a glioma (brain tumor). Yeah, I could see how having an informed position could definitely cause a person (a doctor) to go peacefully, rather than fight. I made a tough decision that saved my life because I was properly informed. I had the great fortune of having some people close to me know a boatload about neurology and cancer. Because I had an informed position and the fortune to have a treatable condition, I chose a difficult path without hesitation. Fortunately for me, my friends were able to inform me with absolute certainty, that a horribly painful procedure such as a craniotomy and it's recovery with follow-up chemotherapy was in my best interest. Only due to the fact that I had folks that provided me with the most honest and current information possible, did I go through with the surgery and risk it all. It sucked, I faced the possibility of losing some of my sight and physical mobility, but I did come out intact. Information is the key. Doctors know what they face. They make the tough decision.
This article makes a lot of logical sense. While there are so many cases like JKat, above, I've also read that the country spends so much money on chemotherapy, which is still our best "tool" to use against cancer since the 70's, yet on average nationally, it doesn't "really" give that much of an extension of life and is a huge burden on the health care system. http://www.chrisbeatcancer.com/freakonomics-and-cancer-treat.../ I'm quite positive that one could argue this point quite well from both sides, and I've personally dealt with both sides of this argument (lost, and gained a good friend and family members for more time) due to this. I also assume that since many doctors have access to specialized care, they opt for a more private route if they believe it's worthwhile. Bottom line, this makes good sense, they are around the pain and anguish daily, and maybe are a bit more desensitized to it, so they make less decisions based on emotion.