What is the difference between palliative care and euthanasia?

Palliative care is an approach that aims to improve the quality of life of patients and their families facing life-threatening illnesses by preventing and relieving physical, psychological, and spiritual suffering [6]. In contrast, euthanasia is defined as a physician intentionally administering a lethal substance or performing an intervention that causes a patient's death based on their voluntary request [8].

Palliative Care: Focusing on Quality of Life

Palliative care is offered to patients suffering from serious illnesses such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases, HIV, and diabetes, in addition to other conditions like renal failure and chronic liver disease [6]. This care is not limited to the end stages of life; it can be initiated early in the course of the illness to improve quality of life and reduce unnecessary hospital admissions [6]. The palliative care team includes physicians, nurses, pharmacists, physical therapists, and volunteers, who work together to provide comprehensive support for the patient and their family [6]. The primary goal is to alleviate pain and other symptoms, such as shortness of breath, using appropriate medications including opioid analgesics when necessary, to enable the patient to live as actively and comfortably as possible [6].

Euthanasia: Definition and Ethical Stance

Euthanasia is defined as a physician intentionally administering a lethal substance or performing an intervention that causes the death of a patient who has the capacity to make decisions, based on their voluntary request [8]. The World Medical Association (WMA) strongly opposes euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide and emphasizes a strong commitment to medical ethics principles and the utmost respect for human life [8]. No physician should be forced to participate in euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide [8].

Ethical Principles and Patient Rights

Medical ethics are a set of standards that distinguish acceptable from unacceptable behavior and are based on fundamental principles such as "non-maleficence" [2]. In the context of palliative care, relieving suffering is considered an ethical duty to ensure a person's dignity [6]. Patients have the right to receive full information about their condition and treatment options, including risks and benefits, in order to make an informed decision [4]. This right, known as informed consent, ensures the patient's participation in their healthcare decisions [5]. A patient may refuse treatment if they are capable of understanding their condition and options, and they should not be forced to receive treatment they do not desire [4]. For more information on patient rights and informed consent, you can visit Medical Ethics and Patient Rights in Jordan (Arabic).

End-of-Life Care: Options and Support

When patients face life-threatening illnesses, it is important to have open discussions with physicians regarding the goals of care. Palliative care provides a support system to help patients live as actively as possible until death and also includes offering counseling to the family during the bereavement period [6]. Understanding these options contributes to making decisions that align with the patient's values and wishes, and reduces the burden on the patient and their family by providing integrated and continuous care [6].

Medical references

• Palliative care
• WMA Declaration on Euthanasia and Physician-Assisted Suicide – WMA – The World Medical Association
• What Is Ethics in Research & Why Is It Important?
• Informed consent - adults: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia
• Patient Rights: MedlinePlus