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Ethics at the End of Life – Part I

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Ethics in Pharmacy Practice: A Practical Guide

Abstract

We turn now from the beginning of life and reproductive ethics to the other end of the spectrum, when physical life nears its conclusion. The care of terminal patients is often complicated and ethically challenging, as the focus of the healthcare interaction must necessarily change from cure to comfort.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    What Are Palliative Care and Hospice Care? National Institute on Aging Web site. www.nia.nih.gov/health/what-are-palliative-care-and-hospice-care#palliative. Published 2017. Accessed 9/17/2020

  2. 2.

    Portions of this chapter first appeared in: Sullivan D. Euthanasia versus letting die: Christian decision-making in terminal patients. Ethics Med. 2005;21(2):109–18. Used with permission.

  3. 3.

    Jones O. How to Certify Death. Teach Me Surgery. 2017. https://teachmesurgery.com/examinations/misc/confirmation-of-death/

  4. 4.

    Allen JL. Vatican newspaper article challenges ‘brain death’ notion. National Catholic Reporter. 2008. www.ncronline.org/news/vatican-newspaper-article-challenges-brain-death-notion-0. Published 9/3/2008

  5. 5.

    Living Wills: State Laws. FindLaw Web site. https://estate.findlaw.com/living-will/living-wills-state-laws.html. Published 2020. Accessed 12/18/2020.

  6. 6.

    Sample Living Will Form. FindLaw Web site. https://estate.findlaw.com/living-will/sample-living-will-form.html. Published 2020. Accessed 12/18/2020.

  7. 7.

    The Power of Attorney, Living Will, and Your Healthcare. FindLaw Web site. https://estate.findlaw.com/living-will/the-power-of-attorney-living-will-and-your-healthcare.html. Published 2020. Accessed 12/18/2020

  8. 8.

    Carley M, Maag M, Pope TM, Sabatino CP, Vandenbroucke A, Wolf R. POLST legislative guide. National POLST Paradigm Task Force. 2014

  9. 9.

    Crist C. Over one third of U.S. adults have advanced medical directives. Reuters News Service. July 11, 2017, 2017. www.reuters.com/article/us-health-usa-advance-directives/over-one-third-of-u-s-adults-have-advanced-medical-directives-idUSKBN19W2NO

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Sullivan, D.M., Anderson, D.C., Cole, J.W. (2021). Ethics at the End of Life – Part I. In: Ethics in Pharmacy Practice: A Practical Guide. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-72169-5_9

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