Ethical Issues and Palliative Care

Abstract

The care of terminally ill patients and families can raise some difficult ethical dilemmas. There are dilemmas about whether to start or stop ‘active’ anti-cancer treatments. Palliative care is directed at symptom control; what if the patient refuses to take medications to relieve symptoms? What happens if a patient wants to die at home but the family refuses to care for the patient? What about euthanasia? These, and other, problems are constantly presenting themselves to palliative-care practitioners. Because the emotional atmosphere is already charged when caring for the terminally ill, it is important to understand the ethical issues before they are confronted.