Ethics in palliative and end-of-life care

Abstract

In treating patients with terminal disease, physicians are faced with multiple situations that require balancing a respect for life with the dying process and the inevitable death of the patient. Difficult decisions must be made, but with proper utilization of the principles of ethical conduct and the “Rule of Double Effect” moral and ethical dilemmas can be avoided. In this chapter, the principles of ethical conduct will be discussed in association with moral obligations, legal limitations, and protections provided to the physician dealing with end-of-life care.