THE NEXT BREATH – WHO DECIDES? PATIENT, DOCTOR, LAW OR GOD?
An examination of the ethical dilemmas presented in end of life issues
Introduction
End of life care is perhaps one of the most sensitive issues in healthcare. It presents with a myriad of elements that must be considered, if care is to be provided in an ethical manner. Essentially, there are the wishes of the patient to take into account, the opinions of the family members of said patient, the legal and medical ramifications of decisions taken, and of course, to a large extent, the religious views on the topic.
Of significance, is the delicate decision of removing artificial respiration, nutrition and hydration, and the personal decision of some patients to opt for euthanasia …show more content…
Certainly the legal, moral and ethical considerations are even more pronounced in such situations. (McFadden, 1985)There are several documented cases (for example Karen Ann Quinlan) concerning this dilemma, where the courts were hard pressed in deciding whether to grant or deny such requests. Here plainly lies a dilemma of autonomy, where the patient or family member have a clear desire, but the courts have the last say. In circumstances such as this, healthcare administrators and clinicians could be considered pawns in a game of tug-a-war, with patients and family members on one end of the rope, and the courts at the other. Patients make requests of physicians who are in turn governed by the law. Is it really the patient who gets to decide in such instances? Probably …show more content…
There are others that embrace certain death rituals, and to disrupt the passage of life by doing so artificially would greatly disrespect the patient’s cultural norms and practices.
Additionally, important to note are the religious views of the physician and healthcare providers involved. Oftentimes this aspect is overlooked, and the moral distress experienced is not addressed. This could have an effect of the outcomes for patients and should be a major consideration in the administration of healthcare.
That grey area presents itself once more, where it not clear who decides. Is it God, a higher being, or the patient?
It’s all in the
An examination of the ethical dilemmas presented in end of life issues
Introduction
End of life care is perhaps one of the most sensitive issues in healthcare. It presents with a myriad of elements that must be considered, if care is to be provided in an ethical manner. Essentially, there are the wishes of the patient to take into account, the opinions of the family members of said patient, the legal and medical ramifications of decisions taken, and of course, to a large extent, the religious views on the topic.
Of significance, is the delicate decision of removing artificial respiration, nutrition and hydration, and the personal decision of some patients to opt for euthanasia …show more content…
Certainly the legal, moral and ethical considerations are even more pronounced in such situations. (McFadden, 1985)There are several documented cases (for example Karen Ann Quinlan) concerning this dilemma, where the courts were hard pressed in deciding whether to grant or deny such requests. Here plainly lies a dilemma of autonomy, where the patient or family member have a clear desire, but the courts have the last say. In circumstances such as this, healthcare administrators and clinicians could be considered pawns in a game of tug-a-war, with patients and family members on one end of the rope, and the courts at the other. Patients make requests of physicians who are in turn governed by the law. Is it really the patient who gets to decide in such instances? Probably …show more content…
There are others that embrace certain death rituals, and to disrupt the passage of life by doing so artificially would greatly disrespect the patient’s cultural norms and practices.
Additionally, important to note are the religious views of the physician and healthcare providers involved. Oftentimes this aspect is overlooked, and the moral distress experienced is not addressed. This could have an effect of the outcomes for patients and should be a major consideration in the administration of healthcare.
That grey area presents itself once more, where it not clear who decides. Is it God, a higher being, or the patient?
It’s all in the