The medical environment is characterized by certain problems relating to communication between healthcare providers, patients and their representatives. These problems may become exacerbated in the context of the administration of continuous palliative sedation and physician assisted suicide. A review of empirical research which examines certain aspects of obtaining an informed consent for end of life care, as well as the hurdles associated with cultural and religious differences between healthcare providers and patients, provides certain insights which may avoid conflicts associated with the application of the Act Respecting End-of-life Care, and ensure that the Act is applied in a manner which is consistent with patients’ rights.