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M09.03.013 Physician-Assisted Suicide
Physician-assisted suicide refers to the act of a physician assisting a person who chooses to end their own life, typically due to terminal illness or unbearable suffering. This practice raises complex ethical, legal, and medical questions.
Definition
- Assisted Suicide: Suicide committed by an individual with the help of another person, often a healthcare professional.
Key Points
Legal and Ethical Considerations
- Prohibition of Assistance:
- Physicians cannot assist patients in committing suicide directly.
- Providing means (e.g., prescription drugs) for a patient to end their life is generally illegal and unethical.
- Patient Rights:
- Competent patients have the right to refuse any medical treatment, including life-sustaining interventions like feeding tubes or hydration.
- Physicians must respect patients’ autonomy, even if the reasons for refusal are not fully understood.
Competency and Decision-Making
- Informed Consent:
- Patients must be well-informed about their condition and treatment options to make competent decisions.
- Right to Refuse Treatment:
- Patients can refuse specific medical treatments or the entirety of their care plan.
- Physicians are obliged to honor these refusals, regardless of personal beliefs about the decision.
Tables
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Assisted Suicide | Involves physician support in ending life. |
| Legal Status | Varies by jurisdiction; often illegal in many places. |
| Patient Autonomy | Competent patients can refuse treatment and make end-of-life decisions. |
| Patient Rights | Physicians must honor patients’ decisions, even if disagree with them. |
|---|---|
| Right to Refuse Treatment | Competent patients may refuse life-sustaining treatment. |
| Respect for Wishes | Physicians must honor patients’ decisions, even if disagree with. |
Points to Remember
- Assisted Suicide: Involves direct assistance from a physician, which is often prohibited.
- Patient Autonomy: Respect for a patient’s decision-making rights is paramount.
- Legal Nuances: Laws regarding physician-assisted suicide vary significantly across regions.
- End-of-Life Decisions: Focus on providing compassionate care while respecting patients’ choices.
Bibliography
- Beauchamp, T.L., & Childress, J.F. (2019). Principles of Biomedical Ethics. Oxford University Press.
- American Medical Association. (2021). Ethical Guidelines on Physician-Assisted Suicide. Retrieved from AMA Ethics
- Glickman, L. (2020). End-of-Life Decisions: Ethics and Law. Journal of Medical Ethics, 46(6), 405-410. doi:10.1136/medethics-2019-105788.