末期病患向醫師要求安樂死的原因

The Reasons for desire of Terminally Ⅲ Patients Call Physicians for Euthanasia

李彗菁(Hui-Ching Li) ； 趙可式(Chantal Co-Shi Chao)

《安寧療護雜誌》 8卷4期 (2003/11) Pp. 393-401

https://doi.org/10.6537/TJHPC.2003.8(4).4

摘要

末期病患求生意志的起伏並非單一因素的作用，生活的艱難程度將明顯的影響到一個人的求生意志。其主要因素有：一、身體上有無法控制的疼痛及其他辛苦的症狀 二、憂鬱、無望感、焦慮 三、譫妄 四、失去控制和尊嚴 五、枯竭、疲潰 六、缺乏社會支持系統、害怕成為別人的負擔 七、失去生活的目標與意義。因此，在末期病患尋求安樂死的呼聲背後，他們更深想要傳達的是「我們該如何活？」。正視病患的需求，確切落實安寧療護的四全照顧理念「全人、全家、全程、全隊」普及至每一位有需要的患者身上，幫助他們活得好（well- being）直到上蒼所賜予生命的最後一刻來臨，是每一位醫療工作候的使命與盼望。

關鍵字

末期病患 ； 醫師 ； 安樂死

並列摘要

Fluctuations in terminally ill patients’ will to live have multiple causes; how distressing of life obviously affects a patient’s desire to live or die. The main factors contributing to this desire are: 1.overwhelming pain and others symptoms; 2.depression, hopelessness, helplessness, and anxiety; 3.delirium; 4.loss of control and dignity; 5.exhaustion and burn out; 6.lack of social support and fear of becoming a burden to others; 7.loss of purpose and meaning within their lifes. The terminally ill patient’s desire for euthanasia is actually a cry for help “how can I live without suffering?’’ , rather than the “kill me’’ that is so often heard. In response to this plea, the philosophy of Hospice- the health care team provide physical, psycho-social and spiritual care by doing and also being with patients and their families throughout the terminally ill and bereavement process. To aim at well-being and caring for terminally ill patients, until their last moment of life should be the mission and aspiration of the health care professionals.

並列關鍵字

terminally ill patient ； physician ； euthanasia