1. What are four indications and contraindications for the use of syringe drivers for pain relief?
2. Outline the impact loss and grief has on the individual person who is receiving palliative care, their family or carers and the staff members involved in their care.
3. How can you and your colleague’s access professional debriefing? Provide two strategies.
4. For each of the following issues listed below, explain the ethical and legal issues that may occur in relation to personal values and decisions made by or for the person requiring a palliative approach to care.
- Requests to withhold information
- Withdrawing or withholding treatment (for example, antibiotics).
- Provision of nutrition and hydration
- Request for assistance to die
- Refuse autopsy of a deceased relative in palliative care
5. In the “Issues” column below, for each of the groups , briefly describe the needs and important factors to be considered when providing a palliative care approach. In the “Support” column, identify one service available to this group for grief and bereavement support.
- People who identify as LGBTI
- Refugees and asylum seekers.
- People from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds
- People with an intellectual disability
- People living in rural and remote areas
- Older people and people living with dementia
- Children and adolescents
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
As a medical professor in charge of creating assignments and answers for medical college students, it is important to have a thorough understanding of complex medical issues, such as palliative care. In this response, we will discuss four indications and contraindications for the use of syringe drivers for pain relief, the impact of loss and grief on individuals in palliative care, access to professional debriefing, ethical and legal issues surrounding personal values and decisions in palliative care, and important factors to be considered when providing a palliative care approach for various groups.
1. What are four indications and contraindications for the use of syringe drivers for pain relief?
Indications for the use of syringe drivers for pain relief include patients with cancer or other terminal illnesses, severe pain that cannot be managed with oral medications, the need for continuous delivery of medication, and patients unable to swallow medications. Contraindications for the use of syringe drivers include patients with a compromised circulatory system, allergies to the medication being used, and patients with altered levels of consciousness who are unable to communicate their pain levels accurately.
2. Outline the impact loss and grief has on the individual person who is receiving palliative care, their family or carers, and the staff members involved in their care.
Loss and grief can have a significant impact on all individuals involved in palliative care. For the individual receiving palliative care, loss and grief can affect their physical health, emotional well-being, and quality of life. Family members and carers may experience emotional distress, financial strain, and changes in their daily routines. Staff members involved in palliative care may also experience emotional distress, burnout, and moral injury.
3. How can you and your colleague’s access professional debriefing? Provide two strategies.
Two strategies for accessing professional debriefing include seeking out a mental health professional who specializes in palliative care or participating in peer support groups. Mental health professionals can provide psychological support and guidance, while peer support groups allow colleagues to share their experiences and provide emotional support to one another.
4. For each of the following issues listed below, explain the ethical and legal issues that may occur in relation to personal values and decisions made by or for the person requiring a palliative approach to care.
a. Requests to withhold information: Ethical and legal issues may arise when patients request that information about their condition or treatment be withheld from them. This may conflict with the principle of autonomy, which upholds a patient’s right to make informed decisions about their care.
b. Withdrawing or withholding treatment: Issues may arise when patients or their family members make decisions to withdraw or withhold treatment that healthcare professionals believe may benefit the patient. This may conflict with the principle of beneficence, which requires healthcare professionals to act in the best interests of their patients.
c. Provision of nutrition and hydration: Ethical and legal issues may arise when patients or their family members request the withdrawal of artificial nutrition and hydration. This may conflict with the principle of non-maleficence, which requires healthcare professionals to do no harm.
d. Request for assistance to die: These issues may arise when patients request assistance in dying, which may conflict with societal and religious norms, as well as the ethical principle of non-maleficence.
e. Refuse autopsy of a deceased relative in palliative care: Ethical and legal issues may arise when families refuse to allow autopsies to be performed on their deceased relatives. This may conflict with the need for accurate diagnosis and may inhibit medical research and advancements.
5. In the “Issues” column below, for each of the groups, briefly describe the needs and important factors to be considered when providing a palliative care approach. In the “Support” column, identify one service available to this group for grief and bereavement support.
Issues | Needs and Important Factors | Support
People who identify as LGBTI | Inclusive care that acknowledges individual identity and experiences, support for mental health and suicide prevention, and support for interpersonal relationships with loved ones | LGBTI Health Alliance
Refugees and asylum seekers | Understanding of cultural and language barriers, support for mental health and coping skills, and awareness of potential trauma and loss due to displacement | The Red Cross
People from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds | Providing interpreters or bilingual staff, understanding of cultural differences, and support for family and community involvement in care | Palliative Care Australia
People with an intellectual disability | Understanding of communication barriers and potential cognitive impairments, support for involvement of family and carers, and specialized services for individuals with disabilities | The Intellectual Disability Rights Service
People living in rural and remote areas | Access to healthcare services, shortage of healthcare professionals, and potential social isolation from limited community resources | Palliative Care Victoria
Older people and people living with dementia | Understanding of potential cognitive impairments, support for family and carers, and knowledge of potential end-of-life issues and decision-making processes | Dementia Australia
Children and adolescents | Understanding of developmental needs and age-appropriate communication, support for family involvement in care, and knowledge of potential emotional and psychological issues | The Australian Children’s Music Foundation
