The Philosophy of Palliative Care: Critique and reconstruction
Feb 2006 · Oxford University Press
Ebook
260
Pages
Tools
info
family_home
Eligible
info
About this ebook
The idea of a philosophy of palliative care emerged with Cicely Saunders' vision for 'a good death', and was developed further with the WHO definition of palliative care. It is now being applied not only to cancer patients, but to all patients in end of life situations. As this 'palliative care approach' advances, it is important to pause and comment on its effectiveness. It is a philosophy of patient care, and is therefore open to critique and evaluation. Using the Oxford Textbook of Palliative Medicine, 3rd edition as their basic reference, Randall and Downie present their argument that the palliative care approach has become too busy and over-professionalised, and that it therefore has significant weaknesses. They examine the framework of the specialty - quality of life, autonomy, dignity, patient-centredness, and the priority assigned to relatives in the remit of care - and the moral problems associated with implementing such a philosophy. The resource implications of various health care policies are also discussed in relation to the WHO definition. Whilst the authors defend the achievements of palliative care and those who work in the profession, they present suggestions for an alternative philosophy. Their philosophy prompts many ethical and philosophical questions about the future of palliative care.
The idea of a philosophy of palliative care emerged with Cicely Saunders' vision for 'a good death', and was developed further with the WHO definition of palliative care. It is now being applied not only to cancer patients, but to all patients in end of life situations. As this 'palliative care a...
Discover more
About the author
Fiona Randall is a consultant in palliative medicine, with a background in health care ethics and philosophy. She has served on BMA ethics committees, the Association of Palliative Medicine ethics working party, and has been recently involved in drafting the UK law on decision making for patients lacking capacity. She is also on the editorial board of the Journal of Palliative Care Robin Downie has been a member of various government and professional committees and working parties dealing with issues of medical ethics. He is now an Honorary Professorial Research Fellow and Emeritus Professor of Moral Philosophy at the University of Glasgow.
Fiona Randall is a consultant in palliative medicine, with a background in health care ethics and philosophy. She has served on BMA ethics committees, the Association of Palliative Medicine ethics working party, and has been recently involved in drafting the UK law on decision making for patients...
Rate this ebook
Tell us what you think.
Reading information
Smartphones and tablets
Install the Google Play Books app for Android and iPad/iPhone. It syncs automatically with your account and allows you to read online or offline wherever you are.
Laptops and computers
You can listen to audiobooks purchased on Google Play using your computer's web browser.
eReaders and other devices
To read on e-ink devices like Kobo eReaders, you'll need to download a file and transfer it to your device. Follow the detailed Help Center instructions to transfer the files to supported eReaders.
