Posted: June 3rd, 2016

palliative care, End-Of -Life Assignment

confronted by end-of-life or palliative care decisions and the care of the person and significant others (family / friends) may be challenging and complex. The aim of this assignment is to explore the ethical and legal issues involved in either end-of-life / palliative care or low acuity (treat – non-transport) cases. These cases involve complex decision-making due to situational and emotional factors and the clinical follow-up that may be required. The assignment asks you to identify a case that you have attended as a foundation to discuss legal and ethical issues such as;

•  When to start or cease cardiopulmonary resuscitation,
•  The role of advanced care planning,
•  Was it safe to leave the person at home,
•  What resources and follow-up clinical assessment and care is required,
•  Assessment and diagnosis might not be as straight forward it first appears,
•   AND what this means to your practice.

The ethical principles of justice, autonomy, beneficence (benefit) and non-maleficence (do no harm) are important to maintaining your own professional practice and the dignity and care of those you care for. Managing the emotional and ethical challenges in these types of cases can be difficult and can affect your own wellbeing and practice as a paramedic.

KEY SKILLS
• Critical reflection skills.
• Demonstrate an understanding of how decisions and actions by health professionals effect the patients dignity, ability to consent to care or express their own wishes and the implications for significant others in that person’s life.
•    Demonstrate knowledge of the legal responsibilities involved in palliative, end-of-life and low acuity cases.
•    Identify the ethical principles involved in palliative, end-of-life and low acuity cases.

ASSIGNMENT INFORMATION
Choose a case that you have attended which involves either:
•        End-of-life / Palliative care
Answer the following questions in relation to the case that you have chosen