Human dignity in end of life care

Abstract

Death is an inevitable process. Dignity is an inalienable intrinsic worth of every human being. As the end of life approaches, the body starts to lose its normal functional processes, and enters into a dying process. Right to die groups argue that a dying person loses his/her dignity in this process and thus has a right to end his/her life. This dissertation critically analyses the literature in order to explore an in depth and vast meaning of dignity of the person, with a focus on end of life. Human Dignity is distinguished into two major categories: ‘Intrinsic’ and ‘External’. Despite the diminished quality of life at the end of life, the value of one’s person does not diminish based on the founding principle of intrinsic dignity, but all measures must be taken to ensure that the dying person suffers to the least degree possible with respect to intrinsic and external dignity. Palliative care is identified as the means of providing holistic care during the dying process to defend human dignity without the need to intervene to end life. Dignity Conserving Models of Care and Integrated Care Pathways are explored as standard healthcare resources that potentially can be used to deliver a ‘death with dignity’. A review of these pathways concludes that end of life care delivered in respect to a person’s intrinsic and external dignity can happen when the dying person’s best interest is put at the centre of medical decisions and nursing care.