Ethical Dilemma in End-of-Life Care

Overview of Ethical Dilemma in End-of-Life Care

• Mr. Ahmed, 65, diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer and given a prognosis of weeks.
• Significant pain and suffering documented, highlighting the need for palliative rather than aggressive treatment.

Patient Autonomy

• Mr. Ahmed has strong religious beliefs influencing his healthcare choices.
• Expressed preference to forgo aggressive treatments in favor of comfort care with family.
• Signed a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order, indicating he does not want life-prolonging measures.

Family Dynamics and Conflicting Wishes

• Mr. Ahmed's eldest son struggles with accepting his father's prognosis.
• Family believes all possible measures should be taken to extend life, conflicting with Mr. Ahmed’s desires.
• Son demands the medical team disregard the DNR order, putting additional pressure on healthcare providers.

Ethical Considerations for Healthcare Team

• The healthcare team includes Dr. Sarah, nursing staff, and a palliative care specialist.
• Members experience internal conflict regarding respecting the patient's wishes versus family demands.
• Persistent cultural pressures may influence the son’s insistence on aggressive treatment.

Code of Ethics in Healthcare

• Discussions around the decision-making process emphasize the importance of adhering to patient autonomy.
• Healthcare professionals must navigate ethical responsibilities while being empathetic to both patient and family emotions.
• Key question: How to balance familial wishes against the established patient preferences and legal directives like the DNR order.

Importance of Palliative Care

• Emphasis on transitioning from curative to supportive care to enhance quality of life in terminal stages.
• Significance of incorporating spiritual and emotional support aligned with patient values in end-of-life care discussions.

Explore the complexities of ethical dilemmas in end-of-life care through Mr. Ahmed's case. Learn how patient autonomy, family dynamics, and conflicting wishes shape decision-making in palliative care. This quiz examines the role of healthcare providers in respecting a patient's preferences amidst family pressures.