I have noticed a trend over the last several years in which patients who want to leave against medical advice (AMA) are instead being formally discharged instead, usually with a lengthy note explaining the situation and the rationale for discharging the patient.
Is it inhumane or unethical, in the present era, to allow patients to leave AMA? There are safety concerns and paternalism/autonomy problems, and insurance and legal issues as well.
What is right? Discharge or allow a patient to leave AMA?