Physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia in Washington State: patient requests and physician responses

Article Abstract:

A survey of Washington State physicians reveals that some have received requests for physician-assisted suicide or euthanasia and some have complied with the request. Researchers surveyed 1,443 physicians about their experience with patient's requests and 828 (57%) responded. Twenty-six percent of the doctors had received such a request at least once. Physicians who cared for terminally ill patients, such as oncologists, received the most requests. Most of the 207 patients reported were men older than 65 with fewer than six months to live. Seventy-three percent had cancer or AIDS. Most of the patients made more than one request. Most were concerned about being a burden, being dependent or losing their dignity. In 24% of the cases, the physician provided a prescription to end the patient's life even though this is illegal in Washington State. Only half of the patients took the drug and died as a result. Physicians gave a lethal injection to 14 patients, all of whom died.

Assisted suicide

---

In search of redemption

Article Abstract:

The author expresses her helplessness at a time when queried by a terminally ill patient about euthanasia while safeguarding her professional ethics.

United States, Public affairs, Ethics, Social aspects, Analysis, Terminally ill persons, Terminally ill, Ethical aspects, Medical ethics, Personal account

---

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Survey of Medicaid child dental services in Washington State: preparation for a marketing program. How can dentists and parents communicate effectively about children's dental health needs?
• Abstracts: Provision of facilities for manometry and pH monitoring in the investigation of patients with oesophageal disease
• Abstracts: Physicians' attitudes on advance directives. Sexual misconduct in the practice of medicine
• Abstracts: Decisions to abate life-sustaining treatment for nonautonomous patients: ethical standards and legal liability for physicians after Cruzan

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.