Ethical issues in pain management.
The modern hospice movement has played a significant role in the development of palliative care. Effective palliation is of crucial importance in achieving quality of life and a dignified death for the terminally ill. While the inherent risk in palliative care, respiratory depression, remains an open medical question, an understanding of the ethical and moral principle of double effect demonstrates the prudential nature of palliative care and how it is an application of the ethical and moral norm, respect for patient autonomy.
McCabe
M J
MJ
Department of Neurology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, USA.
D004995:Ethics, Professional; D017051:Hospice Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D010146:Pain / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010344:Patient Advocacy; D011788:Quality of Life