Abstract
Dying is an event that affects human development throughout the life cycle—impacting individuals, communities, and society. Providing terminal care may mitigate the suffering of patients and families. Notwithstanding, it poses challenges concerning patients’ decision-making and autonomy, in regard to communicating bad news, resuscitation orders, and voluntary termination of life. This study seeks to discuss ethical issues underlying terminal care, showing how the problem of patients’ decision-making and autonomy can be addressed at the end of life. It distinguishes the notion of worthy death, which could ground ethical decisions for health attention across different developmental stages.
Highlights
Dying is an event that affects human development throughout the life cycle—impacting individuals, communities, and society
Providing terminal care may mitigate the suffering of patients and families
This study seeks to discuss ethical issues underlying terminal care, showing how the problem of patients’ decision-making and autonomy can be addressed at the end of life. It distinguishes the notion of worthy death, which could ground ethical decisions for health attention across different developmental stages
Summary
The notion of “death” can be defined as the complete cessation of vital functions, while the “dying process” refers to the ultimate and progressive loss of such functioning [1]. The first stage is the one for shock and denial These are reactions people may present initially, when told they are dying or could suffer an important loss. In the second stage [4], people react with anger, irritation, presenting wrath when considering the fact of getting ill Such angriness may be directed to God, destiny, or close people, as parents, sons/daughters, relatives, as well as a friend; people even blame themselves. Patients can face these feelings and cope maturely with uncertainties brought by death [4] For those who experience the death of a beloved person, a natural process known as mourning may be triggered. Grief consists of a set of feelings, thoughts, and behaviours that express, in a cultural context, an individual’s subjective experience regarding loss This experience has characteristics varying for intensity, duration, and the different stages of human development. But “it is associated with a marked increase in the risks of serious medical conditions, including heart disease, hypertension, cancer, immune deficiency, and reduced quality of life” [5]
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