De los tratamientos paliativos a los cuidados paliativos

The preference for the phrase ‘palliative care’ instead of ‘palliative treatment’, as seen in the literature, is the expression of an important change, which is the transition from an essentially medical view to a broader horizon. In this article an analysis is made of the reasons for this change and shows that they are grounded in a change of a philosophical kind, regarding anthropology and ethics. The ‘ethics of care’ is the consequence of having included ‘vulnerability’ among the essential characteristics of the human condition, and having related it with the autonomy, integrity, and dignity of the person. This ethic contains the duty of giving help, protection, and respect to all ‘weak subjects’ in order to offer them the best possible ‘quality of life’ compatible with their conditions. This includes, in addition to physical aspects, the psychological, social and, spiritual aspects, that must be inter-related in an effort of global comprehension and action.