End of Life Flashcards
When does a Power of Attorney become relevant?
When the patient lacks capacity
What is collusion?
A secret agreement between doctors and family to hide the patient’s diagnosis
Who makes decisions about DNACPR?
The doctor makes the decision based on a clinical basis but it isn’t a legal document rather a record of a decision to guide other physicians
What is conscientious objection?
A doctor can refuse to manage a patient because of their morals and beliefs but they are obliged to refer to another doctor
What aspects make a good death?
Communication
- patient, carers /relatives, healthcare team
Symptoms well controlled
Not distressing
Time to plan
Preferred place of deathWhat are reasons families would want to collude?
Disclosure causes the patient to lose hope
Disclosure leads to depression
Disclosure hastens the progression of the illness and death
Disclosure increases the risk of patient suicide
Disclosure may cause psychological pain for the patient
Family members themselves may not be aware of the nature and severity of the illness
Family members may be in denial
Family members may be in conflict
What is the definition of euthanasia?
Euthanasia is the act of deliberately ending a person’s life to relieve suffering, e.g. a doctor administering a lethal cocktail of drugs explicitly to end a life.
