Cultural and Ethical Challenges in Providing Palliative Care for Cancer Patients at the End-of-Life

Abstract

E-mail: karima_elshamy2002@yahoo.com End-of-life (EOL) care presents many challenges both for clinicians, as well as for patients and Special Edition 1 their families. Moreover, the care of the dying patient must be considered within the context Article Ref. #: 1000PMHCOJSE1116 of the psychological, physical, and social experiences of a person’s life. Foremost among those who require EOL care are cancer patients at the EOL. Unfortunately, clinicians who Article History are responsible for the treatment of patients at the EOL commonly lack adequate training to Received: June 26th, 2017 help guide EOL decisions and to deliver bad news to patients and families. They must also Accepted: July 12th, 2017 face their own discomfort with discussions about death and deal with poor compensation for Published: July 12th, 2017 the time spent discussing EOL care with patients and families. Given the unique process of each person’s death, strategies are often inadequate to guide patients, their families, and the clinicians who care for them through this complex and emotionally challenging process. It Citation would stand the clinician in good stead to be aware of these challenges and have an approach Elshamy K. Cultural and ethical chal- towards dealing with such problems. In addition, organizations have a responsibility to ensure lenges in providing palliative care that systems are in place to minimize its occurrence and ensure that staff are supported through for cancer patients at the end-of-life. the process of resolving issues and conflicts that may arise. Palliat Med Hosp Care Open J. 2017; COJ-SE-1-116