End of Life - Discussion 01
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Dallas Colleges *
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1362
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Medicine
Date
Dec 6, 2023
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doc
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Uploaded by EarlThunder11872
The patients should be approached with empathy and compassion to discuss their end-of-
life preferences. The PSDA clearly understands patients' right to express their preferences, but
ethical problems arise when their autonomy is constrained. The four fundamental moral concepts
of autonomy, justice, beneficence, and non-maleficence are taught to medical workers (Murray,
2020). One may argue that preventing patients from receiving physician assistance in dying
legally does not violate their autonomy. The ability of the patient to make an educated choice,
comprehend all the risks and benefits, and obtain care that is compatible with their options is the
stronger case for autonomy (Murray, 2020).
When patients lack autonomy, they cannot direct their care according to their choices,
which is incompatible with honoring their wishes for end-of-life care. Providers uphold justice
by making decisions consistent with existing laws and legislation. It is challenging to argue
whether a surgery intends to do good for the patient when the result is death. However, giving
this medicine that ends life might put an end to pain (Donnelly, 2010).
The non-maleficence principle adds a unique layer of complexity to the analysis by
requiring that a technique not cause damage to the patient involved. These four medically related
ethical standards have strict requirements that are challenging to fulfill in every situation. I think
some rules, such as the patient comprehending the risks and rewards under informed consent,
should be respected in every case (Donnelly, 2010). Even if they have a healthcare power of
attorney (HC-POA), I am against caregivers having the authority to decide whether a patient
receives physician-assisted suicide. However, I think a power of attorney should be able to stop
the patient's therapy and permit passive euthanasia.
Competent terminally ill patients should oversee their end-of-life care. The American
Medical Association and other professional medical organizations define much of the physician-
assisted suicide discussion. Since nurses are primarily responsible for treating patients, they
spend the most time with ailing ones and treat their symptoms.
They may be crucial allies in the fight for physician-assisted dying. Increasing the
involvement of nurses in end-of-life care may aid in identifying obstacles to care or the decision-
making process (Rogne & Susana Lauraine Mccune, 2014).
In conclusion, Patient autonomy has increased due to the introducing of new life-
sustaining technologies for severely sick patients. A new paradigm that was patient-centered
defined medical ethics in terms of individual rights and patient autonomy when the discipline of
bioethics arose in the 1960s. A vital manifestation that resulted from this was informed consent.
The following two decades saw many "right to die" lawsuits due to disagreements between
families and healthcare professionals. Patients now have the legal right to reject therapy that
might otherwise keep them alive. Patients who cannot decide for themselves can now have
surrogates decide based on their beliefs and circumstances. Make decisions on their behalf based
on their own beliefs and the circumstances.
References:
Donnelly, M. (2010).
Healthcare Decision-Making and the Law
. Cambridge University Press.
Murray, K. (2020).
Integrating A Palliative Approach: Essentials for Personal Support:
Life And
Death Matters.
Rogue, L., & Susana Lauraine Mccune. (2014).
Advance care planning: communicating about
matters of life and death
. Springer Publishing Company, L.L.C.
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