28

Is it always a good idea to tell a patient that palliative care would be the next option? Is it right to be what we call truthful—whatever the circumstances— even when this could be harmful? Would it not be kinder to sustain hopes and desires by saying nothing? How can one think that a patient can remain “subjective” and make the right decision if he or she does not have the necessary information to do so? If palliative care is now an integral part of care and is considered a duty by law, close to the duty of truth extolled by E. Kant, in many respects it raises many questions and/or ethical debates. Patients who have reached a therapeutic dead-end hear the announcement of palliative care as the “announcement of impending death” or a “death foretold,” which is never good to hear. In this particular context it cannot be treated too lightly, nor with hopeless gravity, as this would be traumatic for many patients. Above all, it represents a duty of loyalty, requiring caution and care rather than a duty of absolute truth.