[Palliative care, a humanitarian way (Part 1)]

Area of Science:

• Medical Ethics
• Thanatology
• Palliative Care

Context:

• The late 20th-century Western movement to rediscover death.
• Critique of excessive medical technology in end-of-life care, characterized by diagnostic and therapeutic obsessions.
• Growing recognition of the importance of a calm and affectionate end-of-life environment.

Purpose:

• To explore the emergence and impact of the movement to rediscover death.
• To advocate for death with dignity as a counterpoint to aggressive medical interventions.
• To analyze the palliative approach and its confirmation of human freedom and dignity.

Summary:

• The movement to rediscover death has achieved significant victories, enabling individuals to experience their final moments with dignity and peace.
• This analysis critiques the overreliance on medical technology in end-of-life care, advocating instead for a focus on dignity and comfort.
• The palliative approach is presented as a means to uphold the inherent freedom and dignity of every individual.

Impact:

• Promotes a shift in societal and medical perspectives on death and dying.
• Highlights the ethical considerations surrounding end-of-life medical interventions.
• Reinforces the value of palliative care in ensuring a dignified death.