Ethics of resource distribution: implications for palliative care services.

Over the past few years changes in health care delivery worldwide have prompted health care professionals to become increasingly aware of, and involved in, decisions surrounding resource distribution. This paper aims to examine the ethical issues behind such decisions with particular reference to palliative care services. It is suggested that current outcome measures used to examine the quality and effectiveness of care are unsuitable for use within the palliative care setting, and that health care professionals within the field should be aware of, and promote the use of, more appropriate outcome measures. This is essential in order that the philosophy central to palliative care may be upheld and resources maintained at an appropriate level.