Reflection On Mr Laurie Strike
This Reflective paper is about Mr. Laurie Strike, 84 year old male, a terminally ill patient. He was first diagnosed with melanoma in 2010 and since then undergone many treatments. However, his condition deteriorated over a period of time and now he wants to end his life. Even though, his family and friends were upset with his decision, now they are reconciled to his will. Mr. Strike says that his quality of life worsened by living with a colostomy bag and catheter. His mobility and daily functioning is limited. Due to this circumstance, Mr. Strike, wants to have a voluntary Euthanasia.
1. DEATH IN THE SOCIAL CONTEXT
Death is always an inevitable event in our life. When it comes to people who suffer terminal illness it is more complicated. …show more content…
However, today things have been changed and people got many options to minimize their long term sufferings. Palliative care is one of the specialised care and support provided for someone living with a terminal illness. Importantly, palliative care also involves care and support for family and caregivers. In this case, Mr Laurie Strike says his quality of life is deteriorating and wants to end all the sufferings. He wants to have voluntary Euthanasia.
“Euthanasia refers to the practice of intentionally ending a life in order to relieve pain and suffering. Euthanasia may be classified according to whether a person gives informed consent into three types: voluntary, non-voluntary and involuntary. Euthanasia conducted with the consent of the patient is termed voluntary euthanasia. Euthanasia conducted where the consent of the patient is unavailable is termed non-voluntary euthanasia. Euthanasia conducted against the will of the patient is termed involuntary euthanasia. Voluntary, non-voluntary and involuntary euthanasia can all be further divided into passive or active variants. Passive euthanasia entails the withholding of common treatments, such as antibiotics, necessary for the continuance of life. Active euthanasia entails the use of lethal substances or forces, such as administering a lethal injection, to kill and is the most controversial means. A number of authors consider these terms to be misleading and unhelpful”.
The quality of life is very important to everyone.
As per Mr Strike, he is totally disappointed with his present life. He had several surgeries and treatment. Since last 14 years, he has been suffered all these pain to settle his affairs and family. Now he is happy with everything he had done in the past and do not want to drag his painful life anymore. Mr Strike wants to end his life even he knows his days are counted. At the same time, he is strongly opposing suicide. Through this interview with Mr. Strike, the media highlights the demand of Euthanasia in people with long term terminal illness and their depressed living and desire for a dignified death. This media report also helps such a patient to express his emotions and concerns to the public which calls for attention from concerned people. In palliative care, the caregivers always should respect the patient’s emotions and they have to follow the ‘Standards for providing quality palliative care for all Australians’. Patients and caregivers should know about their rights and responsibilities. Proper education and counselling will help them to an extent to solve their …show more content…
concerns. It is recommended for Mr Strike to join in an organization which supports the self deliverance methods as euthanasia is not legally permitted in Australia. Patients’ needs and wishes should be acknowledged and their comfort and dignity should be preserved.
2. THE ROLE OF PALLIATIVE CARE
World Health Organization defines Palliative care as “an approach that improves quality of life of patients and their families facing the problem associated with life-threatening illness, through the prevention of suffering by early identification and impeccable assessment and treatment of pain and other problems, physical, psychological and spiritual”. One major role of palliative care is to improve the quality of life of a patient who is terminally ill by providing good treatment. In this media report, it is mentioned that Mr. Strike has done everything to treat his condition and prolong his life. He also uses a catheter and colostomy bag. From the above two sentences, it is being understood that the patient received a good support system and treatment to live as actively as possible until death. This also means that patient received good palliative care to improve his every day functioning and way of living life.
Another aspect of palliative care is to provide psychological and spiritual aspects of patient care.
This is very important because these aspects helps patient to cope during the illness. It is also equally important to provide the counseling to the patient’s family members to cope with the illness situation. However, it is not clear from the media report that if Mr. Strike or his family members received the psychological or spiritual counseling and support. May be, in this case, neither Mr. Strike nor his family members received this aspect of palliative care. That is one reason why Mr. Strike wants to pass away even though he has life to live. This may be the reason why his family members were reconciled to his demand, even though they were initially upset with the decision. As per the standard number 8, ‘standards for providing quality palliative care’, the patient and family should get appropriate counseling and support service to cope with the illness
situation.
Being informed and involved is included in palliative care. As a person receiving palliative care, the patient should be well informed about the medical condition and what help the care team can do to him. The patient also should be well informed about his rights including refusing treatment, including life sustainment treatment, to the extent permitted by law. The media report reveals lack of proper information sharing with Mr. Strike by the palliative care team regarding his rights including self deliverance methods, legal aspects including legal issues related to voluntary and involuntary euthanasia.
As per the core values of palliative care, the health care workers has to maintain and upheld the dignity of patients and family. By asking Mr. Strike if he wants to commit suicide, the care giver failed to demonstrate respect to the patient and his dignity. Mr. Strike clearly states that he wants to pass away by a peaceful death and do not want to commit suicide by painful means such as gun or poison. The care givers should give empathy to the patients instead of being sympathetic. They should act with compassion towards the patient and their family while preserving dignity and choice.
Palliative care provides relief from pain and other distressing symptoms. Medications are the foundation of the pain control and it is the core treatment of terminal illness. In this media report, Mr. Strike mentioned many times that he is suffering from pain. Pain is a symptom most feared by people living with a terminal illness, but often it is not a source of worry for those receiving good palliative care. Modern pain management means that patient can expect to remain virtually pain free towards their illness. Mr. Strike’s often complaint regarding pain means that he is not receiving good pain management treatment by the palliative care.
3. REFLECTION
Mr. Strike, as he has only a few weeks to live, is suffering from extreme symptoms including physical, spiritual, emotional and psychological difficulties. As a Palliative care nurse, my objective will be to prevent and manage these symptoms. I will also focus on maintaining the quality of life throughout this period by providing functional status support and rehabilitation. I will also convince Mr. Strike that how the quality of his life improved after using the colostomy bag and the catheter at this stage of his illness. As a caregiver, I will also support Mr. Strike in his daily activities to make him more comfortable in living. To control and manage extreme pain, I will rely on advance pain management treatment while avoiding prolongation of dying process. Through this way, I can ease the Physical pain that Mr. Strike is suffering.
Once after successfully addressed the physical sufferings and agony, my next step will be to address the psychological and spiritual issues that Mr. Strike and his carers are facing. Along with my healthcare team, I will arrange skilled therapeutic communication and discussions with Mr. Strike and his carers, to cope with the illness and to achieve a sense of self-control while preparing and confronting for death. I will address the anxiety with assurance and relaxation techniques. I will also encourage the family to involve more in Mr. Strike’s care and giving support.
As a caregiver, I will be more compassionate and always respect the emotions of Mr. Strike and his carers. I will try to recognise and attempt to understand personal reactions that occur as a natural consequence of working with a dying patient and maintain providing good care in sensitive situations. I will also take appropriate action to ease the symptoms associated with the end stage illness that Mr. Strike is suffering. My action would also help Mr. Strike and his supporting carers to overcome fear, anxiety, grief and concerns.
If the condition and sufferings of Mr. Strike is unbearable and death is unavoidable, and if patient expresses the desire to pass away, I will seek the help of ethical standards of decision making and will take shared decision to recommend following self deliverance methods such as refusing life sustainment treatment to the extent permitted by the law. Also, I will make sure that his death is peaceful and dignified as possible.
REFERENCE
1. ‘The Role of Palliative Care at the End of Life’. Ochsner J. 2011 Winter; 11(4): 348–352.
2. Retrieved from ‘Standards for Providing Quality Palliative Care for all Australians’
3. Stuart G. Gurter W. Demy T. (1998) Suicide and Euthanasia, Grand Rapids: Kregel Publication
4. Article ID: DE197-1, Christian research journal
5. Bartels L.," Otlowski M. (2010)A Right to Die? Euthanasia and the Law in Australia"
6. Perrett RW. (1996) "Buddhism, Euthanasia and the Sanctity of Life
7. Stuart G. Gurter W. Demy T. (1998) Suicide and Euthanasia, Grand Rapids: Kregel Publication
8. Retrieved from ‘http://www.who.int/cancer/palliative/definition/en/’
1. DEATH IN THE SOCIAL CONTEXT
Death is always an inevitable event in our life. When it comes to people who suffer terminal illness it is more complicated. …show more content…
However, today things have been changed and people got many options to minimize their long term sufferings. Palliative care is one of the specialised care and support provided for someone living with a terminal illness. Importantly, palliative care also involves care and support for family and caregivers. In this case, Mr Laurie Strike says his quality of life is deteriorating and wants to end all the sufferings. He wants to have voluntary Euthanasia.
“Euthanasia refers to the practice of intentionally ending a life in order to relieve pain and suffering. Euthanasia may be classified according to whether a person gives informed consent into three types: voluntary, non-voluntary and involuntary. Euthanasia conducted with the consent of the patient is termed voluntary euthanasia. Euthanasia conducted where the consent of the patient is unavailable is termed non-voluntary euthanasia. Euthanasia conducted against the will of the patient is termed involuntary euthanasia. Voluntary, non-voluntary and involuntary euthanasia can all be further divided into passive or active variants. Passive euthanasia entails the withholding of common treatments, such as antibiotics, necessary for the continuance of life. Active euthanasia entails the use of lethal substances or forces, such as administering a lethal injection, to kill and is the most controversial means. A number of authors consider these terms to be misleading and unhelpful”.
The quality of life is very important to everyone.
As per Mr Strike, he is totally disappointed with his present life. He had several surgeries and treatment. Since last 14 years, he has been suffered all these pain to settle his affairs and family. Now he is happy with everything he had done in the past and do not want to drag his painful life anymore. Mr Strike wants to end his life even he knows his days are counted. At the same time, he is strongly opposing suicide. Through this interview with Mr. Strike, the media highlights the demand of Euthanasia in people with long term terminal illness and their depressed living and desire for a dignified death. This media report also helps such a patient to express his emotions and concerns to the public which calls for attention from concerned people. In palliative care, the caregivers always should respect the patient’s emotions and they have to follow the ‘Standards for providing quality palliative care for all Australians’. Patients and caregivers should know about their rights and responsibilities. Proper education and counselling will help them to an extent to solve their …show more content…
concerns. It is recommended for Mr Strike to join in an organization which supports the self deliverance methods as euthanasia is not legally permitted in Australia. Patients’ needs and wishes should be acknowledged and their comfort and dignity should be preserved.
2. THE ROLE OF PALLIATIVE CARE
World Health Organization defines Palliative care as “an approach that improves quality of life of patients and their families facing the problem associated with life-threatening illness, through the prevention of suffering by early identification and impeccable assessment and treatment of pain and other problems, physical, psychological and spiritual”. One major role of palliative care is to improve the quality of life of a patient who is terminally ill by providing good treatment. In this media report, it is mentioned that Mr. Strike has done everything to treat his condition and prolong his life. He also uses a catheter and colostomy bag. From the above two sentences, it is being understood that the patient received a good support system and treatment to live as actively as possible until death. This also means that patient received good palliative care to improve his every day functioning and way of living life.
Another aspect of palliative care is to provide psychological and spiritual aspects of patient care.
This is very important because these aspects helps patient to cope during the illness. It is also equally important to provide the counseling to the patient’s family members to cope with the illness situation. However, it is not clear from the media report that if Mr. Strike or his family members received the psychological or spiritual counseling and support. May be, in this case, neither Mr. Strike nor his family members received this aspect of palliative care. That is one reason why Mr. Strike wants to pass away even though he has life to live. This may be the reason why his family members were reconciled to his demand, even though they were initially upset with the decision. As per the standard number 8, ‘standards for providing quality palliative care’, the patient and family should get appropriate counseling and support service to cope with the illness
situation.
Being informed and involved is included in palliative care. As a person receiving palliative care, the patient should be well informed about the medical condition and what help the care team can do to him. The patient also should be well informed about his rights including refusing treatment, including life sustainment treatment, to the extent permitted by law. The media report reveals lack of proper information sharing with Mr. Strike by the palliative care team regarding his rights including self deliverance methods, legal aspects including legal issues related to voluntary and involuntary euthanasia.
As per the core values of palliative care, the health care workers has to maintain and upheld the dignity of patients and family. By asking Mr. Strike if he wants to commit suicide, the care giver failed to demonstrate respect to the patient and his dignity. Mr. Strike clearly states that he wants to pass away by a peaceful death and do not want to commit suicide by painful means such as gun or poison. The care givers should give empathy to the patients instead of being sympathetic. They should act with compassion towards the patient and their family while preserving dignity and choice.
Palliative care provides relief from pain and other distressing symptoms. Medications are the foundation of the pain control and it is the core treatment of terminal illness. In this media report, Mr. Strike mentioned many times that he is suffering from pain. Pain is a symptom most feared by people living with a terminal illness, but often it is not a source of worry for those receiving good palliative care. Modern pain management means that patient can expect to remain virtually pain free towards their illness. Mr. Strike’s often complaint regarding pain means that he is not receiving good pain management treatment by the palliative care.
3. REFLECTION
Mr. Strike, as he has only a few weeks to live, is suffering from extreme symptoms including physical, spiritual, emotional and psychological difficulties. As a Palliative care nurse, my objective will be to prevent and manage these symptoms. I will also focus on maintaining the quality of life throughout this period by providing functional status support and rehabilitation. I will also convince Mr. Strike that how the quality of his life improved after using the colostomy bag and the catheter at this stage of his illness. As a caregiver, I will also support Mr. Strike in his daily activities to make him more comfortable in living. To control and manage extreme pain, I will rely on advance pain management treatment while avoiding prolongation of dying process. Through this way, I can ease the Physical pain that Mr. Strike is suffering.
Once after successfully addressed the physical sufferings and agony, my next step will be to address the psychological and spiritual issues that Mr. Strike and his carers are facing. Along with my healthcare team, I will arrange skilled therapeutic communication and discussions with Mr. Strike and his carers, to cope with the illness and to achieve a sense of self-control while preparing and confronting for death. I will address the anxiety with assurance and relaxation techniques. I will also encourage the family to involve more in Mr. Strike’s care and giving support.
As a caregiver, I will be more compassionate and always respect the emotions of Mr. Strike and his carers. I will try to recognise and attempt to understand personal reactions that occur as a natural consequence of working with a dying patient and maintain providing good care in sensitive situations. I will also take appropriate action to ease the symptoms associated with the end stage illness that Mr. Strike is suffering. My action would also help Mr. Strike and his supporting carers to overcome fear, anxiety, grief and concerns.
If the condition and sufferings of Mr. Strike is unbearable and death is unavoidable, and if patient expresses the desire to pass away, I will seek the help of ethical standards of decision making and will take shared decision to recommend following self deliverance methods such as refusing life sustainment treatment to the extent permitted by the law. Also, I will make sure that his death is peaceful and dignified as possible.
REFERENCE
1. ‘The Role of Palliative Care at the End of Life’. Ochsner J. 2011 Winter; 11(4): 348–352.
2. Retrieved from ‘Standards for Providing Quality Palliative Care for all Australians’
3. Stuart G. Gurter W. Demy T. (1998) Suicide and Euthanasia, Grand Rapids: Kregel Publication
4. Article ID: DE197-1, Christian research journal
5. Bartels L.," Otlowski M. (2010)A Right to Die? Euthanasia and the Law in Australia"
6. Perrett RW. (1996) "Buddhism, Euthanasia and the Sanctity of Life
7. Stuart G. Gurter W. Demy T. (1998) Suicide and Euthanasia, Grand Rapids: Kregel Publication
8. Retrieved from ‘http://www.who.int/cancer/palliative/definition/en/’