論緩和照顧權（right to palliative care）與病人自主權──兼評「病人自主權利法」之實像與虛像（十四）

2002年世界衛生組織（Who Health Organization，WHO）定義緩和照顧（palliative care）1為:「Palliative care is an approach that improves the quality of life of patients（adults and children）and their families who are facing problems associated with life-threatening illness. It prevents and relieves suffering through the early identification, correct assessment and treatment of pain and other problems, whether physical, psychosocial or spiritual.」。是可知依WHO就緩和照顧之定義，緩和照顧所提供者，係改善正面對威脅生命疾病之病人（包括成人及孩童）及其家屬生活品質（quality of life, QOL）的一種醫護照顧作法。目標在藉由早期偵測及正確評估與處置疼痛（pains）及其他身、心、靈問題，以預防及減緩苦痛（sufferings）。