Abstract
This paper argues for the following points. (1) Despite the recent public controversy surrounding the Terri Schiavo case, withholding and withdrawal of life support rarely presents any moral dilemmas. (2) Given this, we ought to turn our attention to how end of life care is done rather than whether it ought to be done. (3) A ‘caring perspective’ is an essential ingredient in end of life care. Unfortunately, as nurses undergo their ‘professionalisation process’, they often lose this caring perspective. Hence, ways must be found to avoid this loss. (4) Assuming success in this enterprise, it is necessary that nurses be integrally engaged in both end of life care and decision making.
Recommended Citation
Stewart, R. S. (2007). Withholding and Withdrawing Life Support: Moral Dilemmas, Moral Distress, and Moral Residue. Journal of Health Ethics, 4(2). http://dx.doi.org/10.18785/ojhe.0402.04
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