Avoiding Nosocomial Dysthanasia
Avoiding Nosocomial Dysthanasia and Promoting Eleothanasia
OVERVIEW
- “doing no harm” includes the responsibility to not make dying miserable
- Euthanasia = ‘good or comfortable death’ but is a polarising word that is linked with active intervention to take life and doesn’t allow debate, research and study.
BAD DEATH (dysthanasia)
- uncomfortable
- unpleasant
- medicalised
- treating at all costs
MERCIFUL DEATH (Eleothanasia)
- good symptom control
- avoiding the prolongation of dying
- achieving a sense of control
- relieving burdens placed on the family
- strengthening relationships
References and Links
Textbooks and journal articles
- Corke C, Silvester W, Bellomo R. Avoiding nosocomial dysthanasia and promoting eleothanasia. Crit Care Resusc. 2010 Dec;12(4):221-2. PMID: 21143080
- Van Heerden PV. Avoiding nosocomial dysthanasia and promoting eleothanasia – let’s speak simply! Crit Care Resusc. 2011 Mar;13(1):60. PMID: 21355832
Critical Care
Compendium
Chris is an Intensivist and ECMO specialist at The Alfred ICU, where he is Deputy Director (Education). He is a Clinical Adjunct Associate Professor at Monash University, the Lead for the Clinician Educator Incubator programme, and a CICM First Part Examiner.
He is an internationally recognised Clinician Educator with a passion for helping clinicians learn and for improving the clinical performance of individuals and collectives. He was one of the founders of the FOAM movement (Free Open-Access Medical education) has been recognised for his contributions to education with awards from ANZICS, ANZAHPE, and ACEM.
His one great achievement is being the father of three amazing children.
On Bluesky, he is @precordialthump.bsky.social and on the site that Elon has screwed up, he is @precordialthump.
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