"The prime goal is to alleviate suffering, and not to prolong life. And if your treatment does not alleviate suffering, but only prolongs life, that treatment should be stopped"
- Christiaan Barnard
About this Quote
This quote by Christiaan Barnard speaks with the value of supplying medical care that is concentrated on relieving suffering, rather than merely lengthening life. Barnard is highlighting that the main objective of medical care should be to decrease suffering, and if a treatment does refrain from doing this, then it ought to be stopped. This quote speaks with the importance of providing compassionate care that is focused on the client's quality of life, instead of merely extending their life. Barnard's quote likewise talks to the value of thinking about the patient's desires and choices when making medical choices. He is recommending that healthcare ought to be customized to the person, and that treatments should be stopped if they are not offering any benefit to the client. Eventually, Barnard's quote is a tip that healthcare must be concentrated on supplying remedy for suffering, instead of simply lengthening life.
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