Module 4: Ethical/Legal Issues in Palliative Care

Module 4: Ethical Issues in Palliative Care Nursing Participant Outline

I. RESPONDING TO ETHICAL ISSUES A. Advances in medical technology B. Landmark cases C. Ethics competencies in nursing D. Standards of professional nursing practice E. Organizational ethics F. Ethical principles 1. Autonomy 2. Beneficence 3. Nonmaleficence 4. Justice

II. ISSUES OF COMMUNICATION AND SHARED DECISION-MAKING A. Disclosure B. Confidentiality C. Informed consent D. Decisional capacity E. Decision-making capacity for marginalized groups F. Advance care planning 1. Patient self-determination act 2. Advance directives 3. Durable power of attorney for healthcare 4. Surrogate 5. Court-appointed guardians 6. POLST/MOLST

III. ETHICAL ISSUES IN PALLIATIVE CARE A. Prolonging life: balancing benefits and burdens B. Witholding/withdrawing medical interventions C. DNR D. Medical futility E. Principle of double effect - “Last dose syndrome” F. Assisted death G. Euthanasia H. Research

IV. PREVENTIVE ETHICS A. Early identification B. Knowledge C. Understanding D. Cultural and spiritual assessment E. Communication skills ______ELNEC-Core Curriculum Module 4: Ethical Issues in Palliative Care Nursing Page M4-2 © COH & AACN, 2007 Participant Outline Revised: June 2016 V. FACILITATING ETHICAL AND LEGAL PRACTICE: THE FOUR BOX METHOD A. Clinical indications B. Patient preferences C. Quality of life D. Contextual features

VI. CONCLUSION

______ELNEC-Core Curriculum Module 4: Ethical Issues in Palliative Care Nursing Page M4-3 © COH & AACN, 2007 Participant Outline Revised: June 2016