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DOCTORS MAY OFFER INTERVENTIONS THAT WON’T SIGNIFICANTLY PROLONG LIFE, AND PATIENTS CHOOSE FURTHER TREATMENT OPTIONS SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY’RE OFFERED.

“THAT’S THE TRICKIEST ETHICAL TERRITORY THAT I HAVE TRAVERSED OVER AND OVER AGAIN, AND I THINK IT PUTS EVERYBODY INVOLVED IN A REALLY HARD POSITION,” PURI SAYS.

FACING THE END OF LIFE CAN BE DIFFICULT, NOT JUST FOR PATIENTS AND LOVED ONES, BUT ALSO MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS, WHO MAY CONSIDER DEATH ON THEIR WATCH AS A KIND OF FAILURE.

DISRUPTING THESE ASSOCIATIONS AND ACCEPTING DEATH AS A NATURAL PROCESS ARE CRUCIAL TO RECOGNIZING THE VALUE OF PALLIATIVE CARE AS AN INTEGRAL PART OF OVERALL TREATMENT.