Ethics in Palliative Care

Abstract

The cases of ethical issues (new and unfamiliar daily circumstances) are increasing every day in palliative care services. The role of the codes of ethics is to help with these problems. The goal of end-of-life care for dying patients is to prevent or relieve suffering and respect the patient’s wishes and values. The benefits of ethical decision-making are relief of pain, improving the patient’s recovery, reducing the side effects of treatment, prevention of depression, and increasing quality of life. An essential component of the ethical decision-making processes may concern patients’ family members and society. However, physicians, healthcare teams, and nurses are facing difficulties in ethical challenges in end-of-life care. It should also protect the patient’s rights, dignity, beliefs, and religion. Healthcare professionals should understand the principles of ethics, ethical legal documents, advanced care planning, and ethical conflict to help patients make the best decision possible. The ethical principles guide healthcare professionals in the management of these situations and the problem they face in end of life care. In this chapter, we will cover the consideration regarding the ethical principles, ethical issues, ethical challenges, and dilemmas during the palliative care. The cases of ethical issues are increasing every day in the palliative care service.