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Vulnerability at the End of Life: A Medical Perspective

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Human Dignity of the Vulnerable in the Age of Rights

Part of the book series: Ius Gentium: Comparative Perspectives on Law and Justice ((IUSGENT,volume 55))

Abstract

Despite recent, significant improvements in medicine, all human beings will eventually die. Fewer than 10 % of people die from an acute cause. The majority of deaths will occur as a result of chronic disease, such as cancer, heart failure, lung disease, or neurodegenerative disease. Vulnerability is usually present in patients and caregivers near the end of life. Some aspects influencing this vulnerability are the care burden, restricted activities, fears, insecurity, loneliness, and facing death at that difficult moment. The end of life is a clear example of human vulnerability. Fortunately, palliative support and treatment are currently available in developed countries, and some actions can be taken to ensure dignity at this final step of life. In this chapter, we will discuss different endpoints that should be addressed to achieve a satisfactory death, such as dignity and privacy during the process, good control of symptoms (especially pain relief), the possibility of deciding where to die (home or hospital), deciding what treatments to be performed in case of complications, and the possibility of receiving spiritual support if required. Although death is almost never desired, a better end of life can be obtained with the correct preparation and support.

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Notes

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Medical Oncology, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Avda França s/n, Girona, 17007, Spain

    Joaquim Bosch-Barrera

  2. Department of Medical Sciences, Medical School, University of Girona, Girona, Spain

    Joaquim Bosch-Barrera

  3. Pediatrics, University Hospital Arnau de Vilanova, Cristòfol de Boleda, Lleida, 25006, Spain

    Juan Vidal Bota

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  1. Joaquim Bosch-Barrera
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  1. Faculty of Law, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain

    Aniceto Masferrer

  2. Department of Political Sciences, Ethics and Sociology, CEU Cardenal Herrera University, Alfara del Patriarca, Valencia, Spain

    Emilio García-Sánchez

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Bosch-Barrera, J., Vidal Bota, J. (2016). Vulnerability at the End of Life: A Medical Perspective. In: Masferrer, A., García-Sánchez , E. (eds) Human Dignity of the Vulnerable in the Age of Rights. Ius Gentium: Comparative Perspectives on Law and Justice, vol 55. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-32693-1_8

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