Ethics at the end of life

End-of-life care has always been prominent in discussions of clinical ethics. Almost 30% of hospital inpatients are in their last year of life. Doctors frequently encounter people with end-of-life care needs and should to be equipped to respond. However, what has been written about it leaves many doctors, other healthcare workers and the public uncertain and confused. What key things should doctors know and understand? The principles are the same as in any area of medicine, but they have to be applied in a different context.