Patient Empowerment Suffering and Religious Beliefs

Respond to one question from the readings:

Varelius, J. (2019). Suffering at the end of life. Bioethics, 33(1): 195-200.

Is terminal sedation, voluntary active euthanasia, and physician-assisted suicide there to expedite the imminence of the patient’s death, or is it there to reduce the burden on caregivers and lower the expense of the health care system? Do these procedures empower distressed patients in a way that increases their ability to find meaning in and for their existence?

As part of palliative care, amelioration of suffering in all its manifestations is an inevitable aspect of holistic care. When we look at religious beliefs, end-of-life suffering is there to reflect and improve on life experiences. How can religious beliefs sink in with holistic care in palliative medicine?

As Den Hartogh writes, “It is almost always helpful to soothe persisting physical symptoms of the terminal illness because they can no longer serve any beneficial function”. Please share your reflections on his thoughts.

Would you consider enduring end-of-life suffering part of dying well often, and if so, would you think differently if it were a young patient suffering from chronic medical conditions? Cite possible published references to support your opinion.