The article from the Lancet discusses the critical issue of limited access to palliative care, particularly for individuals with advanced neurological diseases, with only 14% of those in need receiving such care globally. Notably, patients with neurological disorders receive this type of care at a significantly lower rate than those with cancer, creating substantial disparities in care provision. The integration of palliative care into neurology is still in its early stages, posing challenges related to disease progression uncertainty, variable trajectories, communication barriers, and cognitive impairments. The article also highlights the ethical concerns surrounding the relationship between palliative care and assisted dying, emphasizing the need for universal access to palliative care services before considering euthanasia legalization. Furthermore, it points out existing disparities in access to palliative care, particularly related to education levels and urban living, underscoring the necessity for research and improved care availability.1
Read the article here.
References
- Neurology, N. L. (2023). Prioritising integration of palliative care to prevent suffering. Lancet Neurology, 22(7), 541. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1474-4422(23)00212-0
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