Final answer:
This detailed answer discusses the ethical issues arising in the case of a terminally ill pancreatic cancer patient who wishes to discontinue care while his son demands continued treatment. The ethical considerations include autonomy, paternalism, and end-of-life care. Examples are provided to illustrate how these issues can be addressed.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ethical Issues in the Case of a Terminal Cancer Patient
The case scenario presents several ethical issues:
- Autonomy: The patient, who has been diagnosed with inoperable pancreatic cancer and has undergone unsuccessful chemotherapy treatments, expresses his wish to discontinue further care. This raises the question of respecting the patient's autonomy and honoring his decision.
- Paternalism: The son, on the other hand, demands his father's care to continue and threatens the physician. This raises concerns about paternalistic behavior, where the son is disregarding the patient's autonomy and imposing his own wishes.
- End-of-life considerations: The case also highlights the importance of appropriate end-of-life care and discussions, including informed consent, pain management, and palliative care options.
It is necessary to navigate these ethical issues sensitively, potentially involving an ethics committee and engaging in open dialogue with all parties involved.
Examples:
- An example of respecting autonomy would be if the physician ensures that the patient's decision to discontinue care is based on informed consent and not influenced by external factors.
- An example of addressing paternalism would involve discussing the patient's wishes with his son, educating him about the patient's rights, and involving him in the decision-making process without imposing his demands.
- An example of appropriate end-of-life care would be offering the patient comprehensive pain management and palliative care options to enhance his comfort and quality of life.
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