Review article

Bioethics and bioethical aspects of palliative medicine

Morana Brkljačić ; School of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia

Abstract

Palliative medicine is a medical discipline which deals with all forms of medical care or treatment which reduces the severity of disease symptoms, relieves suffering and improves the quality of life. The term “palliative care” may be used generally to refer to any kind of care which alleviates symptoms even if there is hope of a cure by other means. The WHO statement defines palliative care as “the approach which improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing the problems associated with life-threatening illness”. Palliative care focuses on the treatment of pain and other distressing symptoms, as well as psychological and spiritual care. It also involves ethical aspects associated with the endingof- life and provides a support system for the individual and the individual’s family. Due to the emphasis palliative medicine places on clinical activity, clinical bioethics greatly depends on the interaction between clinicians and patients in everyday struggle with diseases which represents a conditio sine qua non in palliative medicine for a quality and human care for patients.

Keywords

bioethics; clinical bioethics; palliative medicine

Hrčak ID:

26838

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/26838

Publication date:

1.9.2008.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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