Spiritual and moral aspects of incurable disease

Authors

  • Zh.D. Semidotska Kharkiv National Medical University, Kharkiv, Ukraine
  • I.A. Cherniakova Kharkiv National Medical University, Kharkiv, Ukraine
  • M.Yu. Neffa Kharkiv Medical Academy of Postgraduate Education, Kharkiv, Ukraine
  • I.S. Karmazina Kharkiv National Medical University, Kharkiv, Ukraine

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22141/2224-0586.1.88.2018.124965

Keywords:

life, death, disease, spirituality, palliative medicine

Abstract

The article discusses the spiritual, psychological, and social problems that arise in patients suffering from a severe incurable disease as well as their doctors. Discussion discourse outlines views on disease and dying as on states that open up new opportunities for understanding the value of life, realizing the meaning and significance of death, reassessing life priorities, for self-realization and self-improvement at the final stage of the life path. The development of human spirituality is viewed as an evolutionarily and genetically conditioned process aimed at adapting to changes in the external and internal environment, achieving the highest possible quality of life in a given situation. Improving the quality of life, maintaining the dignity of the patient in the terminal stage of the disease is one of the most important goals of the modern healthcare system in general and palliative medicine in particular. Palliative care unites spiritual, psychological, physical, social aspects of the disease, provides spiritual and moral support for the patient’s human dignity at the end of his life. When providing palliative care to patients who believe in God, one must respect their religious values and maintain the belief in the immortality of the soul. Protecting the dignity of the patient, an acceptable quality of life is seen as an essential human right. Care for the protection of this right from the beginning to the end of life is the most important priority of a civilized society.

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Published

2018-03-26

How to Cite

Semidotska, Z., Cherniakova, I., Neffa, M., & Karmazina, I. (2018). Spiritual and moral aspects of incurable disease. EMERGENCY MEDICINE, (1.88), 26–29. https://doi.org/10.22141/2224-0586.1.88.2018.124965

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