Introduction Hospice care serves as a unique specialty of nursing by focusing on providing comfort and support to patients nearing the end of their lives. While deeply fulfilling, this field presents nurses with an array of ethical dilemmas that require thoughtful consideration and empathy. In this article, we will explore the 7 ethical dilemmas in hospice care and discuss effective strategies for managing them. Truth-Telling and Patient Autonomy In healthcare ethics, one of the fundamental principles is respecting patient autonomy. However, the dilemma of truth-telling often arises in hospice care. The question of how much to disclose to patients about their prognosis, especially when they prefer not to know, presents…
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End-of-Life Decisions Empower Us
I recently lost a dear friend way too soon. She was young at heart and vibrant, but she had suffered from multiple illnesses and the complications of chronic illness. Of course, as a nurse, she wasn’t always compliant with the care prescribed, and being retired, finances often didn’t allow for the best options. She always put everyone else first. So when she was hit with a health crisis that kept building, we knew that she knew exactly what was going on. And soon she took charge and said “no more!” It was heartbreaking to learn that she was “giving up” when in reality she was taking charge! We knew how…