Assessing Ethical Challenges in End-of-Life Decision-Making Through a Case Study Approach
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56294/mw2024499Keywords:
End-of-life care, ethical decision-making, physician-assisted suicide, do-not-resuscitate (DNR), palliative sedation, euthanasia, patient autonomy, medical ethics, legal frameworks, bioethics, healthcare policy, cross-cultural analysis, ethics committees, advance care planningAbstract
For patients, families, doctors, and legislators, end-of- life decisions create major ethical conundrums. The moral conundrums in clinical practice arise from the growing complexity of medical procedures, legal differences among countries, and many cultural and religious views. Using a case study method, this research investigates these ethical dilemmas by examining important concerns like physician-assisted suicide, do-not-resuscitation (DNR) orders, palliative sedation, and life force withdrawal. It looks at ethical theories including utilitarian and deontological points of view as well as bioethical concepts of autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice. Comparative analysis of global points of view exposes differences in legal systems and cultural attitudes on final choices. Emphasising policies to ensure compassionate, patient-centered care, the article also gives recommendations for improving ethical decision-making, highlighting rules for healthcare professionals, increasing communication tactics, the purpose of ethics committees, and policy improvements. Combining ethical ideals, legal issues, and cultural sensitivity, this study aims to assist to develop more equitable and ethically sound approaches to end-of-life decision-making.
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Copyright (c) 2024 Keshav, Manashree Mane, Swarna Swetha Kolaventi, Shakti Bedanta Mishra, Mekala Ishwarya, Romil Jain, Sulabh Mahajan (Author)
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