(Download) "Social Workers' Participation in the Resolution of Ethical Dilemmas in Hospice Care." by Health and Social Work # Book PDF Kindle ePub Free

eBook details

Title: Social Workers' Participation in the Resolution of Ethical Dilemmas in Hospice Care.
Author : Health and Social Work
Release Date : January 01, 2004
Genre: Health & Fitness,Books,Health, Mind & Body,
Pages : * pages
Size : 228 KB

Description

A decision to accept hospice care often results only after much emotional turmoil in a family. But does this decision mean that difficult issues concerning end-of-life care cease? Patients, families, and providers may face many ethical issues throughout the provision of palliative care until death occurs. Sensitive management of ethical issues as they arise can ensure a good experience in end-of-life care and go a long way toward influencing the way that people handle future deaths. Social workers, as an integral part of the hospice team, can be valuable resources in the resolution of ethical dilemmas in end-of-life care. Because end-of-life and palliative care often engender strong emotional responses, ethical dilemmas become central to decisions regarding care for the dying person. Ethical dilemmas occur when a choice must be made between two or more relevant but competing ethical directives or values or when, no matter the choice, it results in an undesirable outcome (Loewenberg, Dolgoff, & Harrington, 2000). Thus, it may be important to examine the ethical implications of each decision (Byock, 1994) and discuss inherent dilemmas perceived by the interdisciplinary team members. The hospice team's synergy is important to fulfilling hospice philosophy, which emphasizes care for the biological, psychological, social, and spiritual aspects of suffering and healing.