Palliative sedation to alleviate existential suffering at end-of-life: Insight into a controversial practice

<p class="p1">All terminally ill individuals should have access to palliative care that gives equal importance to all aspects of suffering. In spite of all the efforts made, some of these individuals will, unfortunately, be left with suffering described as “refractory”. It would appe...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Kim Sadler
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Pappin Communications 2012-08-01
Series:Canadian Oncology Nursing Journal
Online Access:https://canadianoncologynursingjournal.com/index.php/conj/article/view/125
Description
Summary:<p class="p1">All terminally ill individuals should have access to palliative care that gives equal importance to all aspects of suffering. In spite of all the efforts made, some of these individuals will, unfortunately, be left with suffering described as “refractory”. It would appear that palliative sedation then becomes an option. There is much controversy around this practice, especially when it is used to alleviate suffering of a more existential nature. This article aims first to define the practice of palliative sedation, second to explore the concept of existential suffering in palliative care and third to address the implications for nursing practice.</p>
ISSN:1181-912X
2368-8076