Introduction
Among the proposed topics, I have chosen participation in an advance care planning (ACP) discussion related to life-sustaining treatment following an incurable neurological injury. In my understanding, it is the most complicated theme among the three, and it is crucial to examine it in great detail to understand myself and my worldview better. A sudden and incurable neurological injury would be a tremendous shock for any person, and the following decision-making about the treatment will undoubtedly be a highly sensitive topic.
Neurological Injuries
First, it is essential to examine neurological injuries and their potential impact on life in greater detail. In most cases, incurable neurological problems, such as Alzheimer’s, sclerosis, and Parkinson’s, emerge due to age or brain traumas (Huizen, 2020). Each of these conditions has a substantial impact on daily routine, and life-sustaining treatment is necessary. According to the research, chronic progressive neurological diseases (CPNDs) lead to physical complications, emotional problems, shorter lifespans, the necessity to take medications, and other associated issues (Seeber et al., 2019). In summary, neurological injuries change a person’s life drastically, and it is crucial to adapt to the new lifestyle.
Participation in Advance Care Planning
If I get a neurological injury due to brain trauma, I would like to participate in an advance care planning discussion about life-sustaining treatment. CPNDs will inevitably make the quality of my life worse, significantly increasing the burden on my physical and emotional condition. Hence, I would like to maintain at least some control of my life by directly participating in the care planning discussions and providing my opinion on life-sustaining treatment. Although my competency in neurological injury treatment might be inferior to the physicians’, my preferences in therapy might make a difference.
My perspective on ACP and the sense of personal worth during incurable neurological injuries aligns with the academic research on the topic. For instance, Lum et al. (2019) reveal that advanced care planning leads to higher patient satisfaction and quality of life. It primarily relates to more accurately designed treatment and the acknowledgment of the patient’s values, beliefs, and objectives (Lum et al., 2019). In other words, the contemporary methods of therapy consider the individual’s preferences to enhance the quality and outcomes of medical services.
My worldview and perspectives on life revolve around the control of my actions and decisions. In the study by Lum et al. (2019), one of the patients stated, “Parkinson’s impairs your ability to take initiative on things” (p. e2575). In my opinion, it is the most frightening aspect of neurological injuries – the sense of helplessness and losing control over one’s life. In this sense, I would most definitely like to participate in ACP directly since it is one of the few remaining options to maintain a sense of personal worth and dignity. It is particularly relevant for neurological injuries from which one is not likely to recover. Ultimately, my worldview on life will significantly impact my decision-making on participation in ACP.
Conclusion
A sudden incurable neurological injury is a shocking trauma that affects the individual’s life on all levels. As the current post has shown, ACP is an effective method to mitigate some of the complications and improve the patient’s quality of life. From these considerations, in case I get an incurable neurological injury, I would like to express my opinion and preferences on life-sustaining treatment. I believe that direct participation in ACP will help me regain some control over my life because the capability to make my own decisions is crucial for me and my worldview.
References
Huizen, J. (2020). Incurable neurological diseases: Moving toward treatments. Medical News Today. Web.
Lum, H. D., Jordan, S. R., Brungardt, A., Ayele, R., Katz, M., Miyasaki, J. M.,… & Kluger, B. (2019). Framing advance care planning in Parkinson disease: Patient and care partner perspectives. Neurology, 92(22), e2571-e2579.
Seeber, A. A., Pols, A. J., Hijdra, A., Grupstra, H. F., Willems, D. L., & de Visser, M. (2019). Advance care planning in progressive neurological diseases: Lessons from ALS.BMC Palliative Care, 18(1), 1-10. Web.