Ethical aspects of terminal phase care

Abstract

The author starts with definitions of ethics, medical ethics and bioethics and discusses their relationship with terminal patient care; also discussed are the subjects of death, suffering and the feelings that appear with the self-awareness of being near-death. Emphasis is given on both patient-physician and family-physician relationships and on the values of equality and reciprocity. Guidelines are proposed for the approach and medical care of terminal patients and their families; they deal mainly with the need to respect autonomy and dignity and with the wise use of technological advances presently available.