Paul: a fearful decision

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

Abstract

A referral for Paul, aged 58, has come into our hospital specialist palliative care team overnight. It indicates that Paul has been admitted to the acute respiratory ward with increased shortness of breath and severe pain. He has recently been diagnosed with stage four lung cancer and has been undergoing chemotherapy and radiation therapy to treat his cancer. As the disease has progressed, Paul has experienced intense pain that has impacted on his daily activities and quality of life. His medical team has now recommended the use of opiate medication to manage his pain, but Paul is hesitant to take opiates due to fear of addiction and other side effects.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationDilemmas and Decision Making in Cancer Care: A Practice Based Approach
EditorsJulia Hubbard, Sarah Housden
PublisherRoutledge
Pages129-144
Number of pages16
ISBN (Electronic)9781040441619
ISBN (Print)9781041097815
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 11 Nov 2025

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