Goss AL, Creutzfeldt CJ. Prognostication, Ethical Issues, and Palliative Care in Disorders of Consciousness.
Neurol Clin 2022;
40:59-75. [PMID:
34798975 PMCID:
PMC8672806 DOI:
10.1016/j.ncl.2021.08.005]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Research advances in recent years have shown that some individuals with vegetative state or minimally conscious state can emerge to higher states of consciousness even years after injury. A minority of behaviorally unresponsive patients with vegetative state have also been shown to follow commands, or even communicate, using neuroimaging or electrophysiological techniques. These advances raise ethical questions that have important implications for clinical care. In this article, the authors argue that adopting a neuropalliative care approach can help clinicians provide ethical, compassionate care to these patients and their caregivers.
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