Attitudes and Desires Related to Euthanasia and Physician-Assisted Suicide Among Terminally Ill Patients and Their Caregivers

Article Abstract:

Very few terminally ill patients would consider euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide and even those who do may change their minds. In a survey of 988 terminally ill patients, only 11% seriously considered euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide and half had changed their minds several months later. On the other hand, an equal number who had not been considering these options also changed their mind.

Terminally ill persons, Terminally ill, Assisted suicide, Beliefs, opinions and attitudes, Public opinion, Euthanasia

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Four models of the physician-patient relationship

Article Abstract:

The physician-patient relationship needs to be redefined to allow both the physician and patient to take an active role in treatment decisions. Four models for the physician-patient relationship have been proposed. In the paternalistic model, the physician has a parental role, and decides which treatment would be best. In the informative model, the physician tells patients of treatment options and relevant medical information, but patients select their own treatment. In the interpretive model, the physician helps patients explore their values, and select the treatment that best fits these values. In the deliberative model, the physician helps patients explore health-related values, and choose their treatment based on those values. A shift towards the informative model has occurred; patients are more involved in choosing their treatment. These models have weaknesses, but the deliberative model may be the best for the physician-patient relationship. It allows the physician to guide patients in a caring manner, but does not limit patient independence.

Models, Physician and patient, Physician-patient relations

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Assistance from family members, friends, paid care givers, and volunteers in the care of terminally ill patients

Article Abstract:

Most dying patients receive care from family members and friends, according to a survey of 998 terminally ill patients. Eighty-seven percent needed assistance and in 96% of the cases, that assistance was provided by a family member. Seventy-two percent of the caregivers were women. Only 15% of the patients received paid assistance from a non-family member for more than half of their care. Un-paid volunteers who were not friends or family provided less than 3% of all care.

Statistical Data Included, Statistics, Caregivers, Terminal care

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