%0 Journal Article
%T Suicidal ideation at end-of-life: the palliative care team's role
%J Palliative and supportive care
%D 2003
%A Goelitz, Ann
%V 1
%N 3
%P 275-278
%X OBJECTIVE: To report on the case of a terminally ill patient who expresses suicidal ideation. METHODS: As this case demonstrates, suicidality at end-of-life poses numerous challenges for the palliative care team. In this case, a 49-year-old man with locally extensive head and neck cancer refused all life-prolonging treatment and expressed a desire to hasten his own death. Other issues, such as chemical dependency and lack of social supports, complicated his care. RESULTS: Suicidality lessened as continuity of care, with ongoing assessments and interventions, addressed sources of suffering and built relationships with health care professionals. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: This case highlights the observation that desire for hastened death fluctuates for patients at end-of-life and may be influenced by factors under the control of the palliative care team.<p /><p>Language: en</p>
%G en
%I Cambridge University Press
%@ 1478-9515
%U http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s1478951503030244