The human face behind an ethical dilemma: reflecting on attempted suicide and outcomes of a case study.
This paper presents a challenging case study that reflects on the ethical and legal obligations of health-care workers. The case raised issues about the rights of terminally ill patients to refuse or reject treatment, and changed practice with the formulation of procedures and guidelines about self-harm, the wider issue of euthanasia, and the responsibilities of health-care workers in such cases. This case study is the story of Bernie (pseudonym), an 84-year-old man, from his admission to the palliative care outreach service, to his death. At the time of his attempted suicide, he was a patient of a palliative care outreach team at an Austalian hospital. The right of a person to take their own life, respect for autonomy and the actions of health-care workers are the basis of discussion.
Sneesby
Ludmilla
L
Calvary Mater Newcastle, Division of Palliative Care, NSW, Australia. ludmilla.sneesby@mater.health.nsw.gov.au
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004989:Ethics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D013406:Suicide, Attempted