ABSTRACT
The decision not to accept any more treatment often arises from misunderstandings or erroneous ideas and beliefs with regard to the safety of the drugs used. This may include fears of addiction to morphine, or the relatives' mistaken belief that effective symptom control will cause loss of consciousness, resulting in loss of contact with the patient and possible premature death. The patient might be depressed and have lost the will to live. They might have experienced seeing a loved one die in pain or with his or her symptoms poorly controlled in the era when palliative care was not a well-developed specialty. Review all of the treatments that are currently being prescribed, explaining why these are being offered and what they are intended to do. Find out about any side-effects or symptoms that the patient may have experienced, and assess whether these are actually due to the treatment or part of the disease process.
