Moral Dilemmas in Medical Decisions in Palliative Care

Abstract

The clinical evaluation in palliative care of patients with advanced chronic diseases is characterized by the multidisciplinary approach with the objective of establishing care planning proportional to the stage of the incurable disease. This establishes the rational use of technological resources, adequate allocation of the patient and clinical treatment that promotes systematic control of symptoms, quality of life and dignity at the end of life. In addition, a complex deliberative process between the health professional and the patient/family binomial is necessary in order to share the best possible care planning. In this context the autonomy of the patient/family will be linked to the degree of empowerment in such situation and the stage of the disease. This article proposes an analyticalreflexive discussion, based on literature review, in order to explore the aspects of the empowerment process in patients undergoing palliative care and to identify the dilemmas in the balance between patient autonomy and medical decision.

Keywords

• ética clínica
• tomada de decisão
• poder
• psicologia