2024-06-09 10:00:00
I return to my obsessions. This time from the hand of two outdated research that had been just lately (re)discovered. I do it along with an crucial time period, bear in mind, “Re-cordis, ‘to cross via the guts once more’.” Within the case of this textual content, I evaluate, after a few years, some occasions typical of the time and the apparent modifications in medication and life.
In 2003, SA Murray and his colleagues revealed a examine in a British journal that in contrast how most cancers sufferers died in developed and poor international locations. In abstract, the researchers confirmed that in nations like Kenya, sufferers want to die to be free from ache and terminal diseases, whereas in Scotland, sufferers needed to die due to the discomfort of chemotherapy. Ten years later, because of immunotherapy, the discomfort and the sequelae are much less. Corollary: “wealthy” sufferers select to die due to the unintended effects of medicines; of the poor, due to intractable ache because of the lack of satisfactory medicine.
One other examine, from 1996, led by JC Ahronheim, revealed in an American journal, analyzed the scenario of sufferers with superior most cancers or senile dementia. The investigation revealed two alarming incidents: cardiopulmonary resuscitation was carried out in 24% of the sufferers in each teams, and 55% of these affected by dementia died with nasogastric tubes to proceed feeding them. It’s mentioned, and it’s partly true, that these practices have modified as we speak; Nonetheless, the thought will not be completely true: the therapeutic method, ie, the usage of therapies that can’t remedy the affected person however delay his life below troublesome circumstances, continues to be in place. Conclusion: In america, to die with dignity, with relations, at dwelling, you have to be poor; In that nation the poor lack medical insurance.
Not inconsiderable percentages of relations complain in regards to the lack of compassion on the a part of docs. Whether or not for financial causes, the longer the affected person lives, the extra they earn, or due to a scarcity of curiosity in philosophical ideas, docs don’t enable sufferers to die “earlier” or assist them die with dignity (euthanasia). To keep away from therapeutic rigor, the energetic participation of sufferers, relations and docs who’re dedicated to folks’s autonomy is critical.
The aforementioned research are a form of college, for relations and docs alike. Sadly, in 2024, the scenario of terminal sufferers in poor international locations is dramatic: In Mexico fifty million do not need a medical service; Equally, morphine will not be straightforward to acquire.
Independence is a superb legacy of the Western world. It’s proper to train it, as an individual and when needed as a affected person. Sufferers should categorical their independence in entrance of docs and different types of energy, spiritual, political, hospital or household that violate that precept. It isn’t dignified to die below intubation when you’re outdated, a sufferer of most cancers or Alzheimer’s. It isn’t price struggling the results of ineffective chemotherapy as an alternative of claiming goodbye to family members in time, with dignity, hugs and listening to family members.
In medication, outdated research are sometimes not outdated. They query. Re-cordis: “to cross via the guts once more.” By means of the guts and thru the thoughts. Previously it was thought that reminiscence was within the coronary heart. Due to this fact, “going via the guts once more” means additionally going via the thoughts. Due to this fact the validity of the outdated research. Therefore the significance of re-reading and sharing them.
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