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Assisted Suicide Case Study

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This presentation explores the premise of assisted suicide and the impacts on symptom management with a consumer directed palliative approach. There is significant debate around assisted suicide and the premise of good palliative care. Legislation in many countries indicates assisted suicide is only available for ‘insufferable pain’, when this is considered from a symptom management perspective, no one should experience insufferable pain through the implementation of appropriate interventions to meet a persons pain experience. The debate from a social, spiritual and ethical position is diverse and complex, however, regardless of ones position on the debate, there is no substitute for best practice palliative care. Clinicians need to have …show more content…
It is imperative our staff have a good understanding of the issues and ensure that best practice palliative care is not taken into consideration as a sil approach. There is always a need for appropriate symptom management regardless of the circumstance. Our aim is to ensure symptom management is not confused as something it is not by either clouding this by religious ideals or social ideations based on decisions which are made in regards to one’s own life choices.

Biography

Craig O'Malley is a Registered Nurse who has worked a variety of roles across the nursing and education sector. For the past 5 years Craig has been the Centre Manager of an 83 bed Residential Aged Care Facility in NSW Australia. A deep understanding for the aged care sector has come from Craig's progression in the industry from a Care Worker, Enrolled Nurse, Registered Nurse and Nurse Educator. Previously Craig has spent 10 years in the acute sector as a Clinical Nurse Specialist (surgical) and 3 years as a Clinical Facilitator and Lecturer for North Coast TAFE & University of Newcastle. Craig holds a Bachelor of Nursing and Certificate 4 in Training &

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