HLTH3000 Lecture Notes - Lecture 11: Unsun, Assisted Suicide, Futile Medical Care
Document Summary
The law as it applies to the end of. At the start of an individual"s life, reliance is placed upon others to make decisions on their behalf. Surrogate decision makers, who act in the best interests of the child. The individual is able to make decisions for themselves. Age or illness can remove capacity, reliance is placed upon surrogate decision makes, often the next of kin, who could know the individual"s preferences. Palliative care - 32% of australians die annually in nursing homes/aged care facilities. Nursing care is minimal; doctors rarely visit; a medical emergency requires transfer to a hospital to be dealt with. Potential need for a medical enduring power of attorney and an advanced directive to ensure control over death. The medical view of death is as a defeat, the sanctity of life must be preserved, as opposed it being a natural end. Potential greater focus on dealing with intolerable pain.
