title: Countertransference and ethics: a perspective on clinical dilemmas in end-of-life decisions.
abstract: Ethical dilemmas in end-of-life care, such as the request for assisted suicide, must be understood in the context of the relationship that exists between patients and the clinicians treating them. This context includes the way health professionals respond to the tasks in caring for a dying patient. This article reviews the literature exploring the factors the influence clinical decision making at the end of life. The interplay of ethics, countertransference and transference are explained in detail.
authors.affiliation: School of Medical Practice and Population Health, Faculty of Health, University of Newcastle, Orange, Australia. brian.kelly@mwahs.nsw.gov.au
authors.forename: Brian J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.forename: Francis T
authors.initials: FT
authors.lastname: Varghese
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pelusi
mesh_terms: D003379:Countertransference; D003657:Decision Making / Q000941:ethics*; D006801:Humans; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D017236:Suicide, Assisted / Q000941:ethics; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000941:ethics*