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Demoralisation: its impact on informed consent and medical care
1Centre for Palliative Care, Department of Medicine (St Vincent's Hospital), University of Melbourne, VIC. d.kissane@medicine.unimelb.edu.au
The Medical Journal of Australia
|January 25, 2002
Abstract:
Demoralisation, a mental state characterised by hopelessness and meaninglessness, can be differentiated from depression in that demoralised patients can enjoy the present, their lack of hope being confined to the future. However, like severe depression, demoralisation can interfere with a person's capacity to give informed consent. Doctors and other health professionals are also subject to demoralisation, which influences medical care.
Keywords:
Death and Euthanasia