Patients, families, and health care providers all face ethical issues at the end of life. Related to increased technology, decreased resources, and immense cultural diversity, these controversies are a common concern to providers in home care. Increased knowledge and skills related to ethical discussions are crucial tools for providers in home care. Providers'abilities to facilitate these discussions with families and patients at the end of life can ease the transition from aggressive care to hospice care. This article describes basic principles of an ethical discussion and discusses the common ethical dilemmas faced at the end of life.
Berger, J.T. (2005). The ethics of deactivating implanted cardioverter defibrillators. Annals of Internal Medicine, 142, 631-634.
2.
Burt, R.A. (2005). Improving end of life care: Why has it been so difficult?Hasting Center Report Special Report, 35(6), S9-S13.
3.
Casarett, D., Kapo, J., & Caplan, A. (2005). Appropriate use of artificial nutrition and hydration-Fundamental principles and recommendations. New England Journal of Medicine , 353(24), 2605-2612.
4.
Edge, R.S., & Groves, J.R. (2005). Ethics of health care: A guide for clinical practice (3rd ed.). San Francisco: Delmar.
5.
Fletcher, J. (1974). The ethics of genetic control. Garden City, NY: Anchor.
6.
Fohr, S.A. (1998). The double effect of pain medication: Separating myth from reality. Journal of Palliative Medicine, 1(4), 315-328.
