Euthanasia machine, displayed in Science Museum, London
There has been much discussion about physician assisted death in the Australian media in recent weeks. Most of the voices have belonged to doctors (eg this one, this one, this one or this one) or Andrew Denton, with little airtime given to people with life-limiting illness, their family members, bereaved carers, or other professionals who care for the dying. We are sharing an opinion from an invaluable member of the palliative care interdisciplinary team, the social worker.
Below, palliative care Social Worker Zoe Mitchell responds to Andrew Denton’s recent article in The Age (“Doctors shouldn’t look away when dying patients are suffering“). Denton claims that according to palliative care philosophy, “while it is ethically unacceptable for a patient to choose a death that is quick and painless, it is ethically acceptable for them to choose a slow, painful death by dehydration and starvation.”
Zoe says, “I had so much respect for Andrew Denton until now. His article is full of false information about palliative care and shows a lack of understanding of the dying process.
I am no doctor, but I have spent over 4 years working with people who were dying, and while to us it may feel like we are ‘starving’ someone…we are not. When someone is dying and the body begins to shut down, it does not need food or fluids. If we force feed someone it can cause more discomfort and possible nausea and vomiting. If we force fluids into someone and their kidneys are shutting down, it just adds to their fluid overload – again causing discomfort, with fluid in the lungs and swollen limbs. Instead of forcing fluids and food on people with no appetite or thirst, we should be providing quality mouth care to ensure they do not have a dry or sore mouth.
The focus needs to be on good care, this is why we have palliative care. To provide holistic support to the dying person, the important people in their lives and the medical teams looking after them, but also to educate them on what a “good death” can look like.
Before we can even discuss the debate of voluntary euthanasia we need to bring the conversation back to how we can support people to not just die well, but live well until death. In order to do this we need more funding and resources to ensure good palliative care is accessible no matter where you live or your socioeconomic status.”
What are your views about Denton’s article, and nutrition and hydration at end of life? Regardless of your personal views on physician-assisted death, do you think he offers a fair depiction of palliative care? Please share below.
Many thanks to Zoe for contributing to the discussion.
palliverse.com 