Abstract / Description of output
Aims and Objectives. To discuss the social context within which end-of-life nursing care takes place and to consider palliative options of last resort and the differences between societal and professional views on these.
Background. The distinction between life and death is not so straightforward as was once the case. Resuscitation and the increasing capability of intensive care to 'save' patients have implications for nursing practice in a society where there is an increasing demand that individuals should be able to choose the time of their death.
Method. This is a discursive paper.
Conclusion. The problem for professionals is that the call for choice of the individual involves a different approach to end-of-life care, an approach that does not sit well with current professional ethics. One way forward might be a gradual reconsidering of what end-of-life care might reasonably encompass.
Background. The distinction between life and death is not so straightforward as was once the case. Resuscitation and the increasing capability of intensive care to 'save' patients have implications for nursing practice in a society where there is an increasing demand that individuals should be able to choose the time of their death.
Method. This is a discursive paper.
Conclusion. The problem for professionals is that the call for choice of the individual involves a different approach to end-of-life care, an approach that does not sit well with current professional ethics. One way forward might be a gradual reconsidering of what end-of-life care might reasonably encompass.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 616-622 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Journal of Clinical Nursing |
| Volume | 23 |
| Issue number | 5-6 |
| Early online date | 15 Oct 2013 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 19 Feb 2014 |
Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)
- palliative care
- end of life care
- ethics
- death and dying