Communication Gaps in Georgian Palliative Medicine: Ethical and Legal Review

  • N. Tebidze Assistant Professor of BAU International University, Batumi Associate Professor of Grigol Robakidze University
  • G. Kazhashvili Assistant Professor of Batumi Sh. Rustaveli State University Judge of the Civil Affairs Panel of Batumi City Court
Keywords: Palliative Medicine, Georgian Legislation, Ethics, Communication Skills

Abstract

Introduction:

Difficulties in communication, decision-making, and end-of-life management have emerged in the implementation of palliative care in recent decades. The imperfection of ethical issues was also highlighted. This fact is confirmed once again by a study conducted at the oncology department of Batumi High-Technology Hospital, which aimed to study the adequate perception of existing oral pathologies by patients under palliative care and their impact on the quality of life.

Aim: We aimed to discuss the mentioned problem within the framework of bioethics and Georgian legislation.

mentioned issue based on Georgian legislation and existing literature.

Conclusion: Thus, as we mention in medical activities, there are cases when the real diagnosis is not told to the patient for "his favor," and there are also cases when an inappropriate diagnosis is done, which can lead the patient to a fatal condition. In this case, the patient can protect his rights in a civil manner. The best option is to provide the patient with information in the correct form so that it does not mean the end of the world and does not cause depression in him. The patient should be able to pass the last stage of life peacefully and with dignity. 

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

References

1. Counsell, S. R., Callahan, C. M., Clark, D. O., Tu, W., Buttar, A. B., Stump, T. E., & Ricketts, G. D. (2007). Geriatric care management for low-income seniors: a randomized controlled trial. Jama, 298(22), 2623-2633.
2. Dhingra, L., Masson, C., Perlman, D. C., Seewald, R. M., Katz, J., McKnight, C., ... & Portenoy, R. K. (2013). Epidemiology of pain among outpatients in methadone maintenance treatment programs. Drug and alcohol dependence, 128(1-2), 161-165.
3. Carter, B. S., & Wocial, L. D. (2012). Ethics and palliative care: which consultant and when?. American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine®, 29(2), 146-150.
4. Schofield, G., Dittborn, M., Huxtable, R., Brangan, E., & Selman, L. E. (2021). Real-world ethics in palliative care: a systematic review of the ethical challenges reported by specialist palliative care practitioners in their clinical practice. Palliative medicine, 35(2), 315-334.
5. Kordzaia, D. (2011). Making the case for palliative care in developing countries: the Republic of Georgia. Journal of palliative medicine, 14(5), 539-541.
6. Tebidze, N., Jincharadze, M., & Margvelashvili, V. (2017). Oral cavity complications of patients with advanced cancer
7. Buckman, R. (2001). Communication skills in palliative care: a practical guide. Neurologic clinics, 19(4), 989-1004
8. Morita, T., Akechi, T., Ikenaga, M., Kizawa, Y., Kohara, H., Mukaiyama, T., ... & Uchitomi, Y. (2004). Communication about the ending of anticancer treatment and transition to palliative care. Annals of Oncology, 15(10), 1551-1557.
9. Hagerty, R. G., Butow, P. N., Ellis, P. M., Lobb, E. A., Pendlebury, S. C., Leighl, N., ... & Tattersall, M. H. (2005). Communicating with realism and hope: incurable cancer patients' views on the disclosure of prognosis. Journal of clinical oncology, 23(6), 1278-1288.
10. Tulsky, J. A. (2005). Beyond advance directives: importance of communication skills at the end of life. Jama, 294(3), 359-365.
11. Delvaux, N., Razavi, D., Marchal, S., Brédart, A., Farvacques, C., & Slachmuylder, J. L. (2004). Effects of a 105 hours psychological training program on attitudes, communication skills and occupational stress in oncology: a randomised study. British journal of cancer, 90(1), 106-114.
12. Lawrence, D. J. (2007). The four principles of biomedical ethics: a foundation for current bioethical debate. Journal of Chiropractic Humanities, 14, 34-40.
13. Beauchamp, T. L., & Childress, J. F. (2001). Principles of biomedical ethics. Oxford University Press, USA.
14. DeGrazia, D. (2005). Human identity and bioethics.
15. https://matsne.gov.ge/document/view/29980?publication=50
16. https://matsne.gov.ge/ka/document/view/30346?publication=36
17. https://matsne.gov.ge/ka/document/view/30346?publication=36
18. ფარსადანიშვილი ნინო, სტატია, ევთანაზიის ლეგალიზაციის პრობლემა სამართალსა და ბიბლიაში, ქართული სამართლის მიმოხილვა 10/2007-4, გვ. 584.
19. სადრაძე თამარ, სტატია, ევთანაზიის ზნეობრივი და სამართლებრივი პრობლემები, საერთაშორისო სამართლის ჟურნალი #2, თბილისი, 2010, გვ.190.
20. To standardize diagnostic procedures as necessary - The constitution of World Health Organization, Basic Documents, Forty-fifth edition, Supplement, October 2006.
21. The objective of the World Health Organization (hereinafter called the Organization) shall be the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health - The constitution of World Health Organization, Basic Documents, Forty-fifth edition, Supplement, October 2006.
22. https://matsne.gov.ge/document/view/16978?publication=12
23. Judgment of the Civil Affairs Chamber of the Supreme Court of Georgia of November 17, 2022, Case No. As-1169-2022, para. 16, 17, 18.
Published
2023-12-12
How to Cite
Tebidze , N., & Kazhashvili , G. (2023). Communication Gaps in Georgian Palliative Medicine: Ethical and Legal Review. European Scientific Journal, ESJ, 24, 566. Retrieved from https://eujournal.org/index.php/esj/article/view/17569
Section
ESI Preprints