title: [Palliative sedation for psycho-existential suffering].
abstract: Sedation in palliative care is generally considered as an important therapy in terminally ill patients with refractory symptoms. However the sedation of patients with intractable psycho-existential suffering is still under discussion. This paper discusses the case of a 56-year-old patient in the final phase of carcinoma of the ovaries, who required palliative sedation for refractory, mainly psycho-existential suffering. It describes the course on our ward and the difficult process of decision-making. We discuss our approach based on literature.
authors.affiliation: Palliativstation, Krankenhaus der Elisabethinen, Fadingerstraße 1, 4020, Linz, Österreich, eva.weichselbaumer@elisabethinen.or.at.
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Weichselbaumer
authors.forename: Dietmar
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Weixler
mesh_terms: D001293:Attitude to Death; D001317:Austria; D017028:Caregivers / Q000941:ethics / Q000523:psychology; D016292:Procedural Sedation / Q000941:ethics* / Q000523:psychology*; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D005086:Existentialism / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D004091:Hydromorphone; D007258:Informed Consent / Q000941:ethics / Q000523:psychology; D008874:Midazolam; D008875:Middle Aged; D009325:Nausea / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D010166:Palliative Care; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D015742:Propofol; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000941:ethics / Q000523:psychology; D014839:Vomiting / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D004091:Hydromorphone; D008874:Midazolam; D015742:Propofol