Physician Assisted Suicide - Walls

Question 1

Define physician assisted suicide (PAS).

Answer 1

“Physician-assisted suicide occurs when a physician facilitates a patient’s death by providing the necessary means and/or information to enable the patient to perform the life-ending act (eg, the physician provides sleeping pills and information about the lethal dose, while aware that the patient may commit suicide).”

Question 2

What are *** common provisions to US-based PAS legislation?

Answer 2

• Oregon’s Death with Dignity Act
  
  • dx of terminal illness
  • death within 6 months
  • state resident
  • capable of making decisions
  • medication self-administered

Question 3

What are some of the diverse viewpoints on PAS?

Answer 3

• Physical illness vs. mental illness
• Assisted suicide can be seen as suicide prevention
• How lenient or rigid do you think PAS restrictions need to be?
  
  • physically able to hold cup with medicine

Question 4

What are some possible rationales for patient seeking PAS?

Answer 4

• Terminal illness
• Death is inevitable
• Fear of suffering
• Preserve dignity and self-autonomy