Eutanásia Voluntária Ativa, Suicídio Assistido, Ortotanásia e os Cuidados Paliativos: um panorama das discussões no Poder Legislativo Federal Brasileiro / Eutanàsia Voluntària Activa, Suïcidi Assistit, Ortotanàsia i Cures Pal·liatives: un panorama de les discussions en el Poder Legislatiu Federal brasiler / Eutanasia Voluntaria Activa, Suicidio Asistido, Ortotanasia y Cuidados Paliativos: un panorama de las discusiones en el Poder Legislativo Federal brasileño / Voluntary Active Euthanasia, Assisted Suicide, Orthothanasia and Palliative Care: An overview of the discussions in the Brazilian Federal Legislative Power

No âmbito das proposições legislativas brasileiras, buscou-se compreender os desafiose obstáculos no percurso delimitativo das práticas de fim de vida. Analisou-se 193 documentos, desde 1981 até 2020, com base na metodologia hermenêutica-dialética. Evidenciou-se distintas propostas regulamentadoras das práticas de eutanásia e ortotanásia,na relação com os cuidados paliativos. As associações dos termos “cuidados paliativos” e “ortotanásia”, em oposição à “eutanásia/suicídio assistido, revelaram a conflituosa construção de valores que perpassa nossa sociedade. Com a tramitação de projetos relacionados à ortotanásia e eutanásia, compreendemos o sentido das decisões políticas que envolvem as possibilidades de escolhas e liberdade das pessoas, entre o direito à vida e o direito à morte digna. Compreendemos a problemática da legalização da ortotanásia, como forma do poder legislativo se furtar ao debate sobre a eutanásia/suicídio assistido, como alternativa à distanásia e ao sofrimento no processo de morrer.(AU)

En el context de les propostes legislatives brasileres, busquem comprendre els reptes i obstacles en el camí cap a la delimitació de les pràctiques al final de la vida. S'han analitzat 193 documents, des de 1981 fins a 2020, basant-se en la metodologia hermenèutica-dialèctica. S'han evidenciat diferents propostes normatives per a les pràctiques d'eutanàsia i ortotanàsia, en relació als cures pal·liatius. Les associacions dels termes "cures pal·liatius" i "ortotanàsia", en oposició a "eutanàsia/suïcidi assistit", revelen la construcció conflictiva de valors que impregna la nostra societat. Amb la tramitació dels projectes relacionats amb la ortotanàsia i l'eutanàsia, entenem el sentit de les decisions polítiques que implica les possibilitats de tria i llibertat de les persones, entre el dret a la vida i el dret a una mort digna. Comprenguem el problema de la legalització de la ortotanàsia com una forma que el poder legislatiu eviti el debat sobre l'eutanàsia/suïcidi assistit, com a alternativa a la distanàsia i al patiment en el procés de morir.(AU)

En el ámbito de las propuestas legislativas brasileñas, se buscó comprender los desafíos y obstáculos en el camino de la regulación de las prácticas al final de la vida. Se analizaron 193 documentos desde 1981 hasta 2020, utilizando la metodología hermenéutica-dialéctica. Se evidenciaron diferentes propuestas regulatorias relacionadas con la eutanasia y la ortotanasia, en relación con los cuidados paliativos. La asociación de los términos "cuidados paliativos" y "ortotanasia", en contraposición a "eutanasia/suicidio asistido", reveló la conflictiva construcción de valores que atraviesa nuestra sociedad. Con la tramitación de proyectos relacionados con la ortotanasia y la eutanasia, comprendemos el sentido de las decisiones políticas que involucran las posibilidades de elección y libertad de las personas, entre el derecho a la vida y el derecho a una muerte digna. También comprendemos la problemática de la legalización de la ortotanasia como una forma de que el poder legislativo evite el debate sobre la eutanasia/suicidio asistido, como una alternativa a la distanasia y al sufrimiento en el proceso de morir.(AU)

Within the scope of Brazilian legislative proposals, we sought to understand the challenges and obstacles in the delimiting path of end-of-life practices. 193 documents were analyzed, from 1981 to 2020, based on the hermeneutic-dialectical methodology. Different regulatory proposals for the practices of euthanasia and orthothanasia, in relation to palliative care, were evidenced. The associations of the terms “palliative care” and “orthothanasia”, as opposed to “euthanasia/assisted suicide, revealed the conflicting construction of values that permeates our society. With the processing of projects related to orthothanasia and euthanasia, we understand the meaning of political decisions that involve the possibilities of choices and freedom of people, between the right to life and the right to a dignified death. We understand the problem of legalizing orthothanasia as a way for the legislative power to evade the debate on euthanasia/assisted suicide, as an alternative to dysthanasia and suffering in the dying process.(AU)

En busca del buen morir / In search of a good death

La muerte siempre ha generado desconcierto, por lo que acompañar en este proceso de final de vida conlleva un alto compromiso existencial. Si a esta difícil tarea se le agregan los condicionantes hospitalarios o legales que sufren los enfermos en su agonía, estamos ante una muerte aterradora, muy distante de una partida que pueda ser considerada amorosa. Como sabemos, la palabra "clínica" hace referencia a la práctica de atender al pie de la cama del paciente, aliviando el dolor del que está por partir; sin embargo, el "corsé legal" de la muerte está alejando al médico de aquel que debiera recibir toda su atención y sus cuidados, atándole el brazo para acompañarlo en el buen morir. Deberíamos debatir y acordar una estrategia que enriquezca la experiencia del momento final de la vida, de modo que ese conjunto acotado de pacientes pueda elegir su forma de partir. Es de un valor incalculable despertar la compasión en este tema tan importante que preocupa al ser humano desde los inicios de la civilización. Sería muy fructífero que aprovechemos la transmisión de sabiduría de siglos de antiguas culturas que han sabido cuidar con humildad la vida hasta el instante de morir. (AU)

Death has always implied confusion, so accompanying this end-of-life process entails a highexistential commitment. If we add to this difficult task the hospital or legal constraints suffered bypatients in their agony, we are facing a terrifying death, very far from a departure that can be considered a loving one. As we know, the word "clinical" refers to the practice of caring for the patient very close to the bed, alleviating the pain of whom is about to leave; however, the "legal corset" of death is separating the doctor from the one who should receive all his attention and care, preventing him from accompanying the pacient in his/her good dying. We should discuss and agree on a strategy that enriches the experience of the end of life, so that patients could choose the way to leave. It is of incalculable value to awaken compassion on this important issue that has concerned human since the beggining of civilization. It would be very fruitful if we take advantage of the enormous wisdom of ancient cultures that have humbly cared for life until the moment of death. (AU)

Changing Pediatric Hospice and Palliative Care Through Medicaid Partnerships.

Since its inception in 2010, the Concurrent Care for Children Provision of the Affordable Care Act has enabled seriously ill pediatric patients and their families to access comprehensive, supportive hospice services while simultaneously receiving ongoing treatment-directed therapies. Although this groundbreaking federal legislation has resulted in improvements in care for vulnerable pediatric patients, the implementation of the law has varied from state to state through Medicaid programming. The pediatric professional community is called to consider how Medicaid services can more effectively be delivered by leveraging legislative mandates and collaborative relationships between clinicians, Medicaid administrators, and policy makers. In this article, we examine ways concurrent care has been executed in 3 different states and how key stakeholders in care for children with serious illness advocated to ensure effective implementation of the legislation. The lessons learned in working with state Medicaid programs are applicable to any advocacy issue impacting children and families .

[Withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining treatments in acute oncology situations: History and regulatory aspects in France]. / La « Limitation et/ou arrêt des thérapeutiques ¼ (LAT) en oncologie face à une situation aigüe : historique et aspects réglementaires en France.

The management of oncology patients, especially hospitalized patients, can lead to almost daily discussions regarding therapeutic limitations. Here, we review the history and propose a summary of the texts framing the notion of "withholding and withdrawing life-sustaining treatment" in oncology practice in France. This decision is regulated by the Claeys-Léonetti Law of February 2, 2016 recommending a collegial discussion and its documentation in the medical record. The decision to withhold or withdraw life-sustaining treatments is the subject of discussion between the patient, his physicians and his family and may take place at any time during his management. The work of intensive-care physicians provides many useful recommendations for acute oncology situations, however articles specific for oncology practice are scarce; this is a topic that oncologists must take up.

Changes of the hepatic subcapsular blood flow in a case of high-grade retroperitoneal liposarcoma: what to expect?

Changes of the hepatic subcapsular blood flow with the early appearance of hypervascularity near the falciform ligament are rare radiologic findings. They present most frequently in cases of superior vena cava (SVC) obstruction and are related to the recruitment of the cavo-mammary-phrenic-hepatic-capsule-portal and the cavo-superficial-umbilical-portal pathways. We present the case of a 52-year-old female patient with an highly aggressive retroperitoneal liposarcoma with SVC obstruction caused by external compression due to a mediastinal metastatic mass. The patient exhibited no symptoms of SVC obstruction due to the collateral cavo-portal pathways.

Physician attitudes to voluntary assisted dying: a scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Voluntary assisted dying (VAD) became legal in the Australian state of Victoria on 19 June 2019 and will be legal in Western Australia from 2021. Other Australian states are progressing similar law reform processes. In Australia and internationally, doctors are central to the operation of all legal VAD regimes. It is broadly accepted that doctors, as a profession, are less in favour of VAD law reform than the rest of the community. To date, there has been little analysis of the factors that motivate doctors' support or opposition to legalised VAD in Australia. AIM: To review all studies reporting the attitudes of Australian doctors regarding the legalisation of VAD, including their willingness to participate in it, and to observe and record common themes in existing attitudinal data. DESIGN: Scoping review and thematic analysis of qualitative and quantitative data. DATA SOURCES: CINAHL, Embase, Scopus, PubMed and Informit were searched from inception to June 2019. RESULTS: 26 publications detailing 19 studies were identified. Thematic analysis of quantitative and qualitative findings was performed. Three overarching themes emerged. 'Attitudes towards regulation' encompassed doctors' orientation towards legalisation, the shortcomings of binary categories of support or opposition and doctors' concerns about additional regulation of their professional practices. 'Professional and personal impact of legalisation' described tensions between palliative care and VAD, and the emotional and social impact of being providers of VAD. 'Practical considerations regarding access' considered doctors' concerns about eligibility criteria and their willingness to provide VAD. CONCLUSION: A detailed understanding of medical perspectives about VAD would facilitate the design of legislative models that take better account of doctors' concerns. This may facilitate their greater participation in VAD and help address potential access issues arising from availability of willing doctors.

[There is no progress without school. Postgraduate specialization school completes the paradigm shift in palliative care.] / Non c'è progresso senza scuola. La Scuola di specializzazione completa il cambio di paradigma delle cure palliative.

With the conversion of law decree no. 34 of 19 May 2020, bearing urgent measures concerning health, support to work and the economy, as well as social policies related to CoViD-19 epidemiological emergency, thanks to the approval of an amendment to legislative decree "Rilancio" signed by Giorgio Trizzino, the Specialization school in medicine and palliative care will be established starting from a.y. 2021-2022. Additionally, a course in pediatric palliative care will be introduced in pediatrics specialization schools. The news has been welcomed with enthusiasm by the scientific community and the main stakeholders, some of which have made a strong contribution to this result: the Italian Society for Palliative Care, the Italian Federation for Palliative Care, the Maruzza Levebvre d'Ovidio Foundation, as well as the many professionals, institutions, and NPOs that have been supporting for the past forty years the progress of palliative care in Italy. An assessment of the impact of such a measure and its effects entails due process and contextualization in different areas: first of all, that of demand and current supply, followed by the historical-cultural, the social, and the normative.

Coneixements sobre sedació pal·liativa en pediatria / Conocimientos sobre sedación paliativa en pediatría / Current knowledge on palliative sedation in pediatrics

FONAMENT: Donat l'augment en la prevalença de malalties que amenacen o limiten la vida, resulta cada vegada més necessari tenir coneixements d'atenció pal·liativa, incloent-hi també la sedació pal·liativa (SP), per al tractament dels símptomes refractaris. OBJECTIU: Saber quin és el coneixement, la formació I les necessitats que tenen els pediatres hospitalaris sobre l'SP. MÈTODE: Estudi transversal dut a terme a partir de les respostes d'un qüestionari en línia (Google Forms) distribuït a pediatres de nou hospitals de Catalunya. RESULTATS: S'han obtingut 176 respostes. Pel que fa a la legalitat dels procediments, el 88,6% creia que l'SP era legal a Espanya I el 98,3% que l'eutanàsia no ho era. Respecte al consentiment informat, el 57,4% afirmava que per a l'SP se'n requereix un que pot ser verbal I ha de constar en la història clínica. L'SP havia estat pautada alguna vegada pel 66,5% dels enquestats. El midazolam era el fàrmac més utilitzat (65,9%), tot I que el 56,1% creia que el sedant d'elecció era la morfina. En cas de refractarietat, els símptomes no físics no eren considerats tributaris d'SP per al 30,7% I el 66,5% creia que hauria de ser possible l'objecció de consciència. Quant a la formació, el 83% creia que en tenia insuficient o molt poca en l'àmbit de l'SP I el 91,5% estava interessat a rebre'n més. CONCLUSIONS: L'estudi suggereix que els pediatres hospitalaris necessiten més coneixements I experiència en l'àmbit de l'SP. Calen programes de formació específics I una reflexió profunda sobre quins coneixements han de tenir els pediatres dels hospitals, independentment de la seva especialitat

FUNDAMENTO: Dado el aumento en la prevalencia de enfermedades que amenazan o limitan la vida, resulta cada vez más necesario tener conocimientos en atención paliativa, incluyendo también la sedación paliativa (SP), para el tratamiento de los síntomas refractarios. OBJETIVO: Saber cuál es el conocimiento, la formación y las necesidades que tienen los pediatras hospitalarios sobre la SP. MÉTODO: Estudio transversal realizado a partir de las respuestas de un cuestionario online (Google Forms) distribuido a pediatras de nueve hospitales de Cataluña. RESULTADOS: Se han obtenido 176 respuestas. En cuanto a la legalidad de los procedimientos, el 88,6% creía que la SP era legal en España y el 98,3% que la eutanasia no lo era. Respecto al consentimiento informado, el 57,4% afirmaba que para la SP se requiere de él, y que puede ser verbal y debe constar en la historia clínica. La SP había sido pautada alguna vez por el 66,5% de los encuestados. El midazolam era el fármaco más utilizado (65,9%), aunque el 56,1% creía que el sedante de elección era la morfina. En caso de refractariedad, los síntomas no físicos no eran considerados tributarios de SP por el 30,7% y el 66,5% creía que debería ser posible la objeción de conciencia. En cuanto a la formación, el 83% creía que tenía insuficiente o muy poca en el ámbito de la SP y el 91,5% estaba interesado en recibir más. CONCLUSIONES: El estudio sugiere que los pediatras hospitalarios necesitan más conocimientos y experiencia en el ámbito de la SP. Hacen falta programas de formación específicos y una profunda reflexión sobre qué conocimientos deben tener los pediatras de los hospitales, independientemente de su especialidad

BACKGROUND: Given the increasing prevalence of life-threatening or life-limiting diseases, palliative care is increasingly needed, including palliative sedation (PS), for the treatment of refractory symptoms. OBJECTIVE: To assess the knowledge, training and needs of hospital pediatricians about PS. METHOD: Cross-sectional study based on the answers of an online questionnaire (Google Forms) distributed to pediatricians in 9 hospitals in Catalonia. RESULTS: 176 responses were obtained. Regarding the legality of the procedures, 88.6% believed that the PS was legal in Spain and 98.3% that euthanasia was not. Regarding informed consent (IC), 57.4% stated that for PS, IC is required and that it can be verbal and must be recorded in the medical record. PS had been prescribed by 66.5% of the respondents. Midazolam was the most widely used drug (65.9%), although 56.1% believed that the sedative of choice was morphine. In the case of refractoriness, the non-physical symptoms were not considered tributary of PS by 30.7% of respondents, and 66.5% believed that conscientious objection should be possible. In terms of training, 83% believed that they had insufficient or very little training in the area of PS and 91.5% were interested in receiving more. CONCLUSIONS: The study suggests that hospital pediatricians need more knowledge and experience in the field of PS. A thorough reflection is needed on what knowledge pediatricians in hospitals need to have and the specific training programs that are needed, regardless of their specialty

Bioethics and the Law in Mexico / Bioética y el derecho en México / Bioètica I dret a Mèxic

The results of an empirical study show that,taken as a group, physicians in Mexico do not know what is legal and what is not legal with respect to certain areas of clinical practice.   A number of legal cases are cited showing the ways in which the legal system is ineffective with respect to providing guidance on bioethicalissues.   We conclude that physicians in Mexico do not know what is legal and what is illegal with respect to bioethics because they cannot know (the law is unclear) and because they do not need to know (there is no effective legal precedent or enforcement).   We suggest that the way forward must be through institutional policies establishing standards that depend only upon the traditional contract for medical care

Los resultados de un estudio empírico (Hall, 2017) muestran que, tomados como grupo, los médicos en México no saben qué es legal y qué no lo es con respecto a ciertas áreas de la práctica clínica. Se citan varios casos legales que muestran las formas en que el sistema legal es inefectivo con respecto a proporcionar orientación sobre cuestiones bioéticas. Concluimos que los médicos en México no saben qué es legal porque no pueden saberlo (la ley no es clara) y porque no necesitan saberlo (no existe un sistema legal efectivo). Sugerimos que el camino a seguir debe ser a través de políticas institucionales que establezcan estándares que dependan únicamente del contrato tradicional para la atención médica

Els resultats d'un estudi empíric (Hall, 2017) mostren que, considerats com a grup, els metges a Mèxic no saben què és legal I què no ho és pel que fa a certes àrees de la pràctica clínica. Se citen diversos casos legals que mostren les formes en què el sistema legal és inefectiu pel que fa a proporcionar orientació sobre qüestions bioètiques. Concloem que els metges a Mèxic no saben què és legal perquè no poden saber-ho (demostrem diverses maneres en què la llei no és clara) I perquè no necessiten saber-ho (el sistema legal no proporciona una aplicació efectiva). Suggerim que el camí a seguir ha de ser a través de polítiques institucionals que estableixin estàndards que depenguin únicament del contracte tradicional per a l'atenció médica

Between illness and death: "Euthanasia".

The arguments for and against euthanasia present a complex picture that will need to be discussed and decided in Mexico. This article addresses some relevant aspects such as the legal determination of death, the field of bioethics intervention, terminology related to euthanasia, its classifications, international instruments promoting human rights, as well as reflections on the importance of palliative care and the patient's right to be in a terminal situation to act in accordance with their goals, expectations and beliefs, in the context of their family and social relationships.

Los argumentos a favor y en contra de la eutanasia exponen un panorama complejo, que será necesario discutir y decidir en México. En este artículo se abordan algunos aspectos relevantes, como la determinación legal de la muerte, el campo de intervención de la bioética, la terminología relacionada con la eutanasia, sus clasificaciones, los instrumentos internacionales promotores de los derechos humanos, y reflexiones sobre la importancia de los cuidados paliativos y el derecho que tiene el paciente en situación terminal para actuar conforme a sus objetivos, expectativas y creencias, en el contexto de sus relaciones familiares y sociales.

Implementation of a Perinatal Hospice Program.

BACKGROUND: In 2017, the Nebraska Unicameral passed legislative bill 506, which required physicians to inform patients carrying fetuses diagnosed with a life-limiting anomaly of the option to enroll in a comprehensive perinatal hospice program. The bill also required the Department of Health & Human Services to provide information about statewide hospice programs. Families enrolled in hospice programs are better prepared for the birth and death of their child. This large academic medical center was listed on the registry but did not have a formal perinatal hospice program. PURPOSE: Implementation of a comprehensive perinatal hospice program. METHODS: The program was designed and implemented, beginning with the formation of an interdisciplinary team. Guidelines were developed for program referral, care conferences, team communication, and family follow-up. The team was educated. Electronic record documentation and order set were implemented. A data collection process was developed to track referrals and critical data points. RESULTS: The perinatal hospice program has been accepting referrals but has not had any qualifying referrals. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The development of an evidence-based guideline for referral that can improve referral consistency. While trisomy 13 and 18 diagnosis was historically considered life-limiting, these families now have the option of full intervention and transfer for specialists. IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH: Future research will include collecting data from patients who could have benefited from hospice, including infants who were born 20 to 22 weeks, or for maternal reasons. Future research will evaluate the experience after bereavement, the hospice team's experience, and the effectiveness of the referral process.

Availability of Internationally Controlled Essential Medicines in the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Section 2 of the 2019 World Health Organization Model List of Essential Medicines includes opioid analgesics formulations commonly used for the control of pain and respiratory distress, as well as sedative and anxiolytic substances such as midazolam and diazepam. These medicines, essential to palliative care, are regulated under the international drug control conventions overseen by United Nations specialized agencies and treaty bodies and under national drug control laws. Those national laws and regulations directly affect bedside availability of Internationally Controlled Essential Medicines (ICEMs). The complex interaction between national regulatory systems and global supply chains (now impacted by COVID-19 pandemic) directly affects bedside availability of ICEMs and patient care. Despite decades of global civil society advocacy in the United Nations system, ICEMs have remained chronically unavailable, inaccessible, and unaffordable in low- and-middle-income countries, and there are recent reports of shortages in high-income countries as well. The most prevalent symptoms in COVID-19 are breathlessness, cough, drowsiness, anxiety, agitation, and delirium. Frequently used medicines include opioids such as morphine or fentanyl and midazolam, all of them listed as ICEMs. This paper describes the issues related to the lack of availability and limited access to ICEMs during the COVID-19 pandemic in both intensive and palliative care patients in countries of all income levels and makes recommendations for improving access.

Pediatric Cardiology Specialist's Opinions Toward the Acceptability of Comfort Care for Congenital Heart Disease.

In order to evaluate physicians' willingness to seek legal action to mandate surgery when parents refuse surgery for various congenital heart lesions, we surveyed pediatric cardiologists and cardiovascular surgeons at 4 children's hospitals. We asked whether physicians would support parental refusal of surgery for specific heart defects and, if not, whether they would seek legal action to mandate surgery. We then analyzed associations between physicians' willingness to mandate surgery and national operative mortality rates for each lesion. We surveyed 126 cardiologists and 9 cardiac surgeons at four tertiary referral centers. Overall response rate was 77%. Greater than 70% of physicians would seek legal action and mandate surgery for the following lesions: ventricular septal defect, coarctation of the aorta, complete atrioventricular canal, transposition of the great arteries, tetralogy of Fallot, and unobstructed total anomalous pulmonary venous return. Surgery for all of these lesions has reported mortality rates of < 5%. Physicians were less likely to seek legal action when parents refused surgery for Shone complex, any single ventricle lesion, or any congenital heart disease accompanied by Trisomy 13 or Trisomy 18. Among experts in pediatric cardiology, there is widespread agreement about the appropriate response to parental refusal of surgery for most congenital heart lesions, and these lesions tended to be heart defects with lower surgical mortality rates. Lesions for which there was greater consensus among experts were those with the best outcomes. There was less consensus for lesions with higher mortality rates. Such surveys, revealing disagreement among expert professionals, can provide an operational definition of the current professional "gray zone" in which parental preferences should determine treatment.

Evolution of Italian laws banning trafficking, use and abuse of psychotropic drugs.

The penalty system implemented by Italian law still represents a barrier against psychoactive drugs and drug addiction, especially at a time when the age of first consumption has considerably dropped. Presidential Decree n. 309 of October 9, 1990 entitled "Consolidation of the laws governing drugs and psychotropic substances, the prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of drug addicts", and referred to as Presidential Decree 309/90, is the reference text for the cultivation, production, trade and use of narcotics and other psychoactive substances in Italy. The Presidential Decree has its origins in the now-forgotten law of December 22, 1975, n. 685, amended by law 162/90, which provided a draft of the current Presidential Decree 309/90. The current text has been amended numerous times over the years.

Nurses' knowledge of law at the end of life and implications for practice: A qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Some patients do not receive adequate pain and symptom relief at the end of life, causing distress to patients, families and healthcare professionals. It is unclear whether undertreatment of symptoms occurs, in part, because of nurses' concerns about legal and/or disciplinary repercussions if the patient dies after medication is administered. AIM: The aim was to explore nurses' experiences and knowledge of the law relating to the provision of end-of-life pain and symptom relief. DESIGN: Semi-structured interviews with nurses were assessed using a six-stage hybrid thematic analysis technique. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: Four face-to-face and 21 telephone interviews were conducted with nurses who routinely prescribed and/or administered pain and symptom relief to patients approaching the end of their lives in Queensland and New South Wales, Australia. RESULTS: While many nurses had no personal experiences with legal or professional repercussions after a patient had died, the fear of hastening death and being held accountable was frequently discussed and regarded as relevant to the provision of inadequate pain and symptom relief. Concerns included potential civil or criminal liability and losing one's job, registration or reputation. Two-thirds of participants believed that pain relief was sometimes withheld because of these legal concerns. Less than half of the interviewed nurses demonstrated knowledge of the doctrine of double effect, the legal protection for health professionals who provide end-of-life pain and symptom relief. CONCLUSION: Education is urgently required to strengthen nurses' knowledge of the legal protections supporting the provision of appropriate palliative medication, thereby improving their clinical practice with end-of-life patients.

Palliative sedation and medical assistance in dying: Distinctly different or simply semantics?

Medical assistance in dying (MAiD) and palliative sedation (PS) are both legal options in Canada that may be considered by patients experiencing intolerable and unmanageable suffering. A contentious, lively debate has been ongoing in the literature regarding the similarities and differences between MAiD and PS. The aim of this paper is to explore the propositions that MAiD and PS are essentially similar and conversely that MAiD and PS are distinctly different. The relevance of such a debate is apparent for clinicians and patients alike. Understanding the complex and multi-faceted nuances between PS and MAiD allows patients and caregivers to make more informed decisions pertaining to end-of-life care. It is hoped that this paper will also serve to foster further debate and consideration of the issues associated with PS and MAiD with a view to improve patient care and the quality of both living and dying in Canada.

Improving community access to terminal phase medicines through the implementation of a 'Core Medicines List' in South Australian community pharmacies.

OBJECTIVES: Difficulties accessing medicines in the terminal phase hamper the ability of patients to die at home. The aim of this study was to identify changes in community access to medicines for managing symptoms in the terminal phase throughout South Australia (SA), following the development of a 'Core Medicines List' (the List) while exploring factors predictive of pharmacies carrying a broad range of useful medicines. METHODS: In 2015, SA community pharmacies were invited to participate in a repeat survey exploring the availability of specific medicines. Comparisons were made between 2012 and 2015. A 'preparedness score' was calculated for each pharmacy, scoring 1 point for each medicine held from the following 5 classes: opioid, benzodiazepine, antiemetic, anticholinergic and antipsychotic. RESULTS: The proportion of pharmacies carrying all items from the List rose from 7% in 2012 to 18% in 2015 (p=0.01). Multiple linear regression demonstrated that a monthly online newsletter subscription (p=0.04) and provision of a clinical service to aged care facilities (p=0.02) were predictors of pharmacies carrying all items on the List. Furthermore, multiple linear regression demonstrated that the provision of an afterhours service (p=0.02) and clinical services to aged care facilities (p=0.04) were predictors of pharmacies with a high 'preparedness score'. In responding to issues with supply of medicines at end of life, respondents were more likely to contact the prescriber if aware of palliative patients (p=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that there is value in developing and promoting a standardised list of medicines, ensuring that community palliative patients have timely access to medicines in the terminal phase.