End-of-Life Care and Ethics

End-of-life care involves supporting individuals nearing the end of their lives, focusing on comfort, dignity, and quality of life. It includes managing pain and other symptoms, addressing emotional and spiritual needs, and providing support for families.

Ethics in end-of-life care encompasses several key considerations:

1. Autonomy: Respecting patients' wishes and decisions regarding their care, including their right to refuse or discontinue treatment.

2. Beneficence: Ensuring that care provided is in the best interest of the patient, aiming to maximize comfort and quality of life.

3. Non-Maleficence: Avoiding harm by not providing treatments that may prolong suffering or be of no benefit.

4. Justice: Fairly allocating resources and ensuring that all patients have access to appropriate care.

5. Informed Consent: Ensuring patients are fully informed about their options and potential outcomes to make decisions that align with their values and preferences.

Ethical dilemmas in end-of-life care often involve balancing these principles, particularly when patients' preferences and medical recommendations may conflict.