Ethical Decision-Making in End-of-Life Care PDF

Jazan University Faculty of Medicine Professionalism & Bioethics-I course Code of ethics CBL Ethical Decision-Making in End-of-Life Care Dr. Sarah...

Jazan University Faculty of Medicine Professionalism & Bioethics-I course Code of ethics CBL Ethical Decision-Making in End-of-Life Care Dr. Sarah is a senior oncologist at a busy urban hospital. She has been treating Mr. Ahmed, a 65-year-old man diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer. Despite aggressive treatment, the cancer has progressed, and Mr. Ahmed is now in the final stages of the disease. He is experiencing significant pain and suffering, and his prognosis is poor, with only a few weeks to live. Mr. Ahmed is a devout man with strong religious beliefs. He has expressed a desire to avoid further aggressive treatment and prefers to spend his remaining time in comfort, surrounded by his family. He has also signed a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order, stating that he does not want any life-prolonging measures, including resuscitation if his heart stops. Mr. Ahmed's family, particularly his eldest son, is struggling to accept his prognosis. They believe that everything possible should be done to extend his life, even if it means continuing aggressive treatment. The son insists that the medical team ignore the DNR order and continue with all possible interventions to keep his father alive. The healthcare team, including Dr. Sarah, the nursing staff, and a palliative care specialist, are aware of Mr. Ahmed's wishes and the signed DNR order. However, they are also empathetic to the family's distress and the cultural pressures they may be facing. The team is divided on how to proceed, with some members feeling obligated to respect the family’s wishes and others insisting on adhering to the patient's stated preferences. This situation raises several ethical questions, with your colleagues discussing the decision-making process according to your study of code of ethics in healthcare.