This is an interesting paper, highlighting the differences between
doctors and
patients in their assessment of suffering but I find it quite
extraordinary that
there is a notion that someone other than the patient can assess whether
or not
a patient's suffering is 'unbearable' . It's a nonsense to suggest that
doctors
can; only the patient from his/her unique perspective can know what is
tolerable
and what is unbearable. Are doctors content to let others make judgments
on
their own quality of life? I very much doubt it. We can't second guess
patients in
this matter, it's their suffering, not ours.
Rapid Response:
Doctors cannot assess patients' 'unbearable suffering'
This is an interesting paper, highlighting the differences between
doctors and
patients in their assessment of suffering but I find it quite
extraordinary that
there is a notion that someone other than the patient can assess whether
or not
a patient's suffering is 'unbearable' . It's a nonsense to suggest that
doctors
can; only the patient from his/her unique perspective can know what is
tolerable
and what is unbearable. Are doctors content to let others make judgments
on
their own quality of life? I very much doubt it. We can't second guess
patients in
this matter, it's their suffering, not ours.
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests