The Comprehension of Hospice-Palliative Care and Self-determination Life Sustaining Decision-Making Act as Uro-Oncologist

ABSTRACT

Every year in Korea about 50,000 terminally ill patients pass away in pain and more than 90% of the elderly oppose medical treatment to keep terminally ill patients alive. In medical ethics, the patient's right to self-determination is important, but he or she is unconscious or older and cannot express himself/herself, then his/her family should decide whether or not prolong treatment. From February 4, 2018, Hospice-palliative care and self-determination life sustaining decision-making Act will extend the life of the terminally ill patient. A specialist in the treatment of genitourinary cancer, focuses on prevention and treatment of cancer. However, by understanding this law, including terminology and how to implement of process of decision and stop life-sustaining treatment, a uro-oncologist has to counsel and perform education for terminally ill patients. A revision law has been forwarded to simplify the procedure. The Assembly should make haste with reviewing the law to help reduce the pain of terminally ill patients and their families.