@article{ART003189425},
author={Shin Hye Yoo},
title={Palliative Care as a Goal: Advance Care Planning and Life-sustaining Treatment Decisions from a Physician’s Perspective},
journal={Korean Journal of Medical Ethics },
issn={2005-8284},
year={2025},
volume={28},
number={1},
pages={15-21}
TY - JOUR
AU - Shin Hye Yoo
TI - Palliative Care as a Goal: Advance Care Planning and Life-sustaining Treatment Decisions from a Physician’s Perspective
JO - Korean Journal of Medical Ethics
PY - 2025
VL - 28
IS - 1
PB - The Korean Society For Medical Ethics
SP - 15
EP - 21
SN - 2005-8284
AB - Advance care planning (ACP) and life-sustaining treatment decisions in Korea remain more procedural than patient-centered. Discussions tend to focus more on discontinuing life-sustaining treatment or transitioning to hospice than on integrating palliative care throughout the course of an illness. This commentary analyzes a case in which a terminal cancer patient passed away at home without formal ACP or hospice enrollment. While legally unproblematic, this outcome raises concerns about whether the patient’s values and care goals were adequately addressed. The Korean healthcare system limits palliative care services to specific terminal illnesses, and ACP typically begins only after a terminal diagnosis. This leads to fragmented decision-making, with care goal discussed too late and palliative care viewed as an alternative to life-sustaining treatment rather than an integral part of medical care. Additionally, the lack of multidisciplinary collaboration and structured communication hinders effective ACP implementation. This article argues that bridging this gap requires that palliative care be embedded into routine clinical practice, ensuring early and evolving care goal discussions. Strengthening palliative care education, expanding multidisciplinary collaboration, and developing structured decision-making support systems are proposed as essential strategies to achieve meaningful ACP and improve end-of-life care.
KW - palliative care;advance care planning;life support care;decision making
DO -
UR -
ER -
Shin Hye Yoo. (2025). Palliative Care as a Goal: Advance Care Planning and Life-sustaining Treatment Decisions from a Physician’s Perspective. Korean Journal of Medical Ethics , 28(1), 15-21.
Shin Hye Yoo. 2025, "Palliative Care as a Goal: Advance Care Planning and Life-sustaining Treatment Decisions from a Physician’s Perspective", Korean Journal of Medical Ethics , vol.28, no.1 pp.15-21.
Shin Hye Yoo "Palliative Care as a Goal: Advance Care Planning and Life-sustaining Treatment Decisions from a Physician’s Perspective" Korean Journal of Medical Ethics 28.1 pp.15-21 (2025) : 15.
Shin Hye Yoo. Palliative Care as a Goal: Advance Care Planning and Life-sustaining Treatment Decisions from a Physician’s Perspective. 2025; 28(1), 15-21.
Shin Hye Yoo. "Palliative Care as a Goal: Advance Care Planning and Life-sustaining Treatment Decisions from a Physician’s Perspective" Korean Journal of Medical Ethics 28, no.1 (2025) : 15-21.
Shin Hye Yoo. Palliative Care as a Goal: Advance Care Planning and Life-sustaining Treatment Decisions from a Physician’s Perspective. Korean Journal of Medical Ethics , 28(1), 15-21.
Shin Hye Yoo. Palliative Care as a Goal: Advance Care Planning and Life-sustaining Treatment Decisions from a Physician’s Perspective. Korean Journal of Medical Ethics . 2025; 28(1) 15-21.
Shin Hye Yoo. Palliative Care as a Goal: Advance Care Planning and Life-sustaining Treatment Decisions from a Physician’s Perspective. 2025; 28(1), 15-21.
Shin Hye Yoo. "Palliative Care as a Goal: Advance Care Planning and Life-sustaining Treatment Decisions from a Physician’s Perspective" Korean Journal of Medical Ethics 28, no.1 (2025) : 15-21.
