title: [Ethics and the end of life].
abstract: Our responsibility toward others is the domain of ethics. To care particularly of a terminally ill patient, makes the relation asymmetrical. More, the doctor is exposed to unconscious trends like projections, desire of power, and anticipated grief of his/her patient. When warned against these psychological issues, the doctor will have at his/her disposal ethical landmarks that have been internationally accepted: principles such as autonomy and humanity of the patient, proportionality and futility, refusal of euthanasia and the principle of justice in palliative care. In front of the reality of a terminal patient care these principles enable the doctor to discuss the issue of disclosing a lethal prognosis. Stopping unproportionate treatments enables the doctor to avoid overtreatment. If a team consensus is helpful for a decision making, it does not exempt the doctor from his/her responsibility. The principle of beneficence makes for the doctor a duty to get educated and trained in palliative care with both their therapeutic and relational aspects. Lastly, a demand of euthanasia is a call for help; it justifies--instead of an act which must be refused--an unconditional listening and a commitment to do everything able to yield relief.
authors.affiliation: Unité de recherche et de soutien en soins palliatifs, CHU, hôpital A.-Michallon, Grenoble.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schaerer
mesh_terms: D001293:Attitude to Death; D017028:Caregivers; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D005065:Euthanasia; D005190:Family; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010166:Palliative Care; D010344:Patient Advocacy; D013727:Terminal Care; D014944:World Health Organization
chemical_list: D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives