Clinical Practice Guideline and System of end of life Care in Korea

초록

Although recent heart failure (HF) guidelines emphasize the importance of integrated palliative care, including end-of-life (EOL), appropriate discussion of EOL issues can be challenging due to the potential for unexpected deterioration throughout the progression of HF. Open communication and deliberations involving a multidisciplinary healthcare team play a pivotal role in aligning the expectations of both patients and their families, while establishing care goals that are firmly rooted in the fundamental principles of 'human dignity' and 'individual self-determination.' This becomes particularly significant when the emphasis shifts from extending life quantity to prioritizing the quality of life, thus warranting contemplation of a transition to EOL care. Advanced care planning, encompassing resuscitation preferences, device deactivation, the choice of the location for the final days, and bereavement support, should be centered on ensuring a dignified EOL experience and should be regularly reviewed. In Korea, the Hospice, Palliative Care, and Life-sustaining Treatment Decision-making Act was enacted in February 2016 in order to ensure that the patient’s self-determination in EOL care processes is respected. In this session, we will discuss the clinical practice and healthcare system related to EOL care in South Korea.