title: Demoralisation: its impact on informed consent and medical care.
abstract: Demoralisation, a mental state characterised by hopelessness and meaninglessness, can be differentiated from depression in that demoralised patients can enjoy the present, their lack of hope being confined to the future. However, like severe depression, demoralisation can interfere with a person's capacity to give informed consent. Doctors and other health professionals are also subject to demoralisation, which influences medical care.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Palliative Care, Department of Medicine (St Vincent's Hospital), University of Melbourne, VIC. d.kissane@medicine.unimelb.edu.au
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Kissane
mesh_terms: D001526:Behavioral Symptoms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D002055:Burnout, Professional / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D016743:Mental Competency; D009013:Morale; D019452:Terminally Ill / Q000523:psychology*