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When Life
comes to an End
Patients in their last stage of life can choose the end-of-life treatment they receive
by signing an advance directive, but medical workers, paramedics and their family
members have little knowledge about it.
By Howard Li
of Hong Kong introduced the con- sion,” says Joseph Lee Kok-long, the chairperson of Hong Kong Association
cept back in 2006. It can uphold the of Nursing Staff. But not all healthcare providers know the basics of advance
right to self-determination and en- directive as it depends on their specialties. To become palliative care pro-
hance the quality of life of a patient. fessionals, medical workers are required to have further training including
But the feasibility of legislation has understanding the end-of-life context and improving the patient’s quality of
raised concerns. life during end-of-life care.
“The responsibility of medical
professionals is to facilitate deci-
sion-making pro- The responsibility of medical
cess of patients professionals is to facilitate decision-making
and their fam-
ily members process of patients and their family
by making member by making sure they are
sure they are
well informed well informed of the decision.
of the deci-
Joseph Lee Kok-long
