Challenging assumptions in end-of-life situations
- 1 September 1998
- journal article
- research article
- Published by SAGE Publications in Palliative Medicine
- Vol. 12 (6) , 451-456
- https://doi.org/10.1191/026921698667931221
Abstract
An actual case is used to highlight ethical and psychological problems which may arise in the care of terminally ill patients. The case is structured and analysed, focusing on five different situations in which more than one alternative action is possible. This study shows that between description and prediction on the one hand, and decision making on the other, the interpretation of the situation and the consideration of possible alternative actions both play an important role. Different factors that may influence the interpretations made by the staff include their values, knowledge, experiences and empathy.Keywords
This publication has 2 references indexed in Scilit:
- Unconscious communicationsPalliative Medicine, 1996
- INTERPRETATION: TYPES AND CRITERIAGrazer Philosophische Studien, 1983