THE ETHICAL ASPECTS OF COMMUNICATION IN THE CONTEXT OF THE PEDIATRIC PALLIATIVE CARE (Etyczne aspekty komunikacji w sytuacji pediatrycznej)

The aim of the article is to describe the moral obligation in the context of the pediatric palliative care. The practical aim is to answer the question about proper attitude of the family and the medical staff toward a dying child. The answers take into account the right of the child to the truth about his or her physical state, the possibility of taking part in the decision making process and the spiritual care of the dying children. The theoretical reflections are confronted with the empirical survey among the Warsaw physicians. The answers for the twelve questions of the questionnaire illustrate the practice of the doctors who deal with the sick children and their families.