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Title: AAHPM UNIPAC 6: Ethical and Legal Decision Making When Caring for the Terminally Ill; 2nd Edition

Author(s): Porter Storey, MD; Carol Knight, EdM

This module is Part 6 of a multi-series, self-study series prepared by the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Care. In Section 1, a definition of hospice and palliative care is presented along with a brief summary of ethical principles and the process of making ethical decisions. Section 2 describes ethical issues frequently encountered in hospice/palliative care settings and presents the clinical situations to demonstrate the application of the decision making process to specific issues. Upon completion of this module of the UNIPAC, author's state the learner will be able to demonstrate the ability to:

1. Identify the goals and philosophy of hospice/palliative care and apply them to complex clinical situations.
2. Apply the decision making process described in this UPIPAC when making ethical decisions.
3. Apply knowledge of medical ethical principals to clinical situations.
4. Differentiate instructive and proxy directives.
5. Provide guidance for patients/family members who must make ethical decisions about cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
6. Provide guidance for patients/family members who must make ethical decisions about futile treatment.
7. Provide guidance for physicians and patients/family members when misconceptions about opioids interfere with optimal pain management.
8. Provide guidance for patients/family members who must make ethical decisions about the withdrawal of artificial ventilation.
9. Provide guidance for patients/family members who must make ethical decisions about the withdrawal of artificial hydration/nutrition.
10. Provide guidance when patients/family members request an assisted suicide or euthanasia.

Reviewers note that although this is a 1996 publication, the module offers a "good overview of general ethical and legal principles in end-of-life care" and is a "well established" educational resource.

TO ORDER: The Mary Ann Liebert Publications Web site

Creation Date: 1/2003

Format: Self-Study Guide Book

Purpose: Self-Study Guide

Audience(s)

ACGME Competencies: Medical Knowledge, Patient Care, Professionalism

Keyword(s): Advance directives, Assisted suicide/euthanasia, Autopsy/organ donation, Cross-cultural care, Decision making capacity/surrogates, Do not rescucitate orders, Ethics, Informed consent, Treatment withdrawal/withholding

This item is part of the following curriculum package:

• AAHPM UNIPAC Series - Hospice/Palliative Care Training for Physicians