Decision-making in palliative care practice and the need for moral deliberation: a qualitative study.
The development of palliative care is increasing the interest in the moral problems that arise in the practice of palliative care. It is not clear how caregivers deal with these moral problems. In this article, we focus on the decision whether to continue treatment or to withhold it, and discuss the way caregivers deal with this question amongst themselves and in communication or consultation with the patient. We look at moral deliberation, the process of identifying the crucial arguments for this decision in palliative care.
Hermsen
Maaike
M
Department of Ethics, Philosophy, and History of Medicine, University Medical Centre Nijmegen, 232 EFG, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands. m.hermsen@efg.umcn.nl
ten Have
Henk
H
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003142:Communication; D003659:Decision Making, Organizational; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005194:Family Practice; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006738:Hospices; D006769:Hospitals, General; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent / Q000941:ethics / Q000523:psychology; D009014:Morals; D009426:Netherlands; D009735:Nursing Homes; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000941:ethics / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology; D010344:Patient Advocacy / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000941:ethics; D010358:Patient Participation / Q000523:psychology; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D028761:Withholding Treatment / Q000941:ethics*