Comparative legal aspects of pain management.
Administering pain medication to terminal patients can cause legal problems when it has a life-shortening effect, because according to some authors it equates with manslaughter. The legal basis of the acceptance of pain alleviation with life-shortening effect can be found on the grounds of necessity. In different countries physicians have been prosecuted because of their pain management, which to the public prosecutor was in fact a sort of euthanasia. On the other hand, it is not unknown that physicians administer opioids to mask euthanasia. Pain management needs some rules, which can reassure the physician who alleviates pain. The physician who alleviates pain with life-shortening effect will have to act with due care to avoid a liability risk. This implies at least an informed consent, to observe the proportionality rule, and to keep a medical record.
Vansweevelt
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Faculty of Law, University of Antwerp, Belgium.
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005065:Euthanasia / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006801:Humans; D016365:Liability, Legal; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D028701:Patient Rights / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid