Palliative Care Essay

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Palliative care is care given to patients suffering from terminal illness and their families in order to improve the overall quality of life, including physical, emotional and spiritual support. It is believed that this type of care provides a viable alternative to euthanasia. When considering the pain experienced by the patient, it effectively reduces physical suffering on the individual, improving patient well-being and minimising their desire for death. In addition it has a positive impact upon the family members involved. They don't have to witness the immense suffering of their loved ones, and instead are able to see them with a higher quality of living. Finally it prolongs the life of the patient which provides for valuable memories during their final stages of life which are deeply cherished.
Whilst in theory this type of care may seem practical it is not always effective and viable. Adequate palliative and hospice care is not always available, with some treatments not being about to relieve patients of their immense pain and suffering. Although palliative care allows the life of the patient to be prolonged, individuals may value quality of life over longevity. In this case, they may view death as an alternative to living a helpless and miserable life. Finally patients may they no …show more content…
The patients decision to seek euthanasia is influenced by their doctor. The diagnoses, prognosis or anticipation of patient suffering in the future by medical practitioners, impacts directly on the decision of the individual to seek death. No regulation of euthanasia laws can will ensure that this power is taken away. Further the advice provided by doctors to their patients has the potential to be influenced by existing stereotypes, which may present someone’s life as more or less

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