Term Definition
Continuous sedation
The ongoing use of medication to reduce consciousness, in order to manage
symptoms that do not respond to standard treatments.
Deep sedation
The use of medication to reduce the patient's consciousness so that they will be
asleep most or all of the time, and can only be woken with effort.
Delirium
A mental state in which a person is confused and has reduced awareness of their
surroundings. In palliative care, delirium is frequently a sign of impending death;
it can be distressing for patients, families, and caregivers.
Delphi
Systematic approach to answering a research question through the identification
of a consensus view across subject experts.
Dyspnoea (dyspnea) Breathing difficulties experienced by the patient.
Euthanasia The intentional ending of a patient's life at their request.
Existential suffering
An incapacitating state of despair questioning whether life has meaning, purpose,
or value.
Intermittent sedation
Use of medication for time-limited periods to reduce consciousness and relieve
suffering.
Palliative care
The active and total care of the patients whose disease is not responsive to
curative treatment. It includes control of pain, other symptoms, and of social,
psychological and spiritual problems.
Palliative sedation
Relief of refractory suffering through the monitored proportional use of
medications intended to reduce consciousness in patients with life-limiting
disease.
Refractory symptoms
Difficult symptoms that do not respond to available standard treatments, or
where the benefits are not reached in sufficient time, or where treatments
provoke more negative side effects than benefits.
Total care
Suffering that includes a person's physical, psychological, social, spiritual, and
practical struggles.
Appendix 1: Glossary of Terms for Palliative Sedation
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