Quality in life and death: can we have the conversations?

As nurses, we participate in providing social justice through the delivery of health care. While much of what we do supports healthier lifestyles and healing, we must also acknowledge that for an increasing number of our patients, life may have become irreversibly painful and unwanted. Nurses have acute sensitivity to the dilemmas faced by dying patients and their families. Our empathy and know-how in such cases dictates that we make an effort to relieve such suffering. Easing suffering will require assessments of the changing terrain of end-of-life care and the populations receiving that care. Dialogues can bridge the interest of patients, providers, and policymakers and ultimately legislation that reinforces ethical end-of-life care and ensures a voice for those who will be most affected.