Logotherapeutic Observation of the Autonomy of a Palliative Care Patient

In Croatia and other transition countries, care for a palliative patient is undergoing changes.Recently there is a growing multidisciplinary approach that aims at raising the quality ofpalliative care patient to a higher level. The physician-patient’s paternal relationship nowassumes a model based on patient’s autonomy. Logotherapy within the autonomy model findsa significant place and importance. Everyone has the right to choose, autonomy to look atand find answers to why and how to accept personal suffering during the illness. Perceivingpatients through the dimension of spirituality means recognizing their inner values with theinevitable respect for their beliefs regardless the current state or ultimate outcome of chronic,severe and incurable disease.