Faire vivre la loi Leonetti : une attitude de soignant-citoyen

The evaluation mission for the law of April 22nd, 2005 reveals a widespread ignorance of the texts by the general public, the patients, also those whose task it is to communicate its contents. This text questions us, as nurses, and as socially conscious citizens. As a nurse, between effective work and prescribed work, what position must we adopt? This law concerning the rights of patients and end of life “forces” us, in the ethical sense, to commit oneself responsibly, professionally as well as personally. To adopt the attitude of a “socially conscious nurse” questions us with regard to the patients and their relatives, but also with regard to ourselves, our colleagues, and society. Stopping therapy in situations of refusal of treatment or of the limitation and ending of treatment is a decision process in which the team of nurses must concert. To choose to renounce to answer certain needs in order to satisfy others is a process involving multiple interrogations in which all involved must be able to feel co-responsible and able to vouch for a person's freedom.