Self-determined death, the physician, and medical priorities: is there time to talk?

Article Abstract:

Physician-assisted suicide has become a topic of national debate. One question is whether people should be allowed to choose the time and the means of their own death. The other is the role of the physician in self-determined deaths. Another issue is the increasing cost of health care. An exorbitant amount of money is spent on extending the lives of terminally ill patients. It may be difficult to rationalize suicide of any type. Over 90% of people who commit suicide are mentally ill. A set of guidelines has been proposed to help physicians cope with patient requests for physician-assisted suicide. Many of these patients do not wish to die immediately. They are often requesting help for different problems. A strong physician-patient relationship is needed for physicians to determine a patient's underlying wishes. This may be a major problem because modern medicine has become increasingly impersonal.

Editorial, Physician and patient, Physician-patient relations

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Doctor, I want to die. Will you help me?

Article Abstract:

Physicians need to prepare for requests by terminally ill patients for physician-assisted suicide. Patients who have an incurable progressive disease periodically express a wish to die. Some patients who express this wish do not want to die at the time of their request. Physicians should question patients carefully to better understand their desires. Some of these patients want to switch from painful curative treatments to comfort care. Others no longer want to die after receiving treatment for pain. Some individuals have unrecognized psychosocial problems or are having a spiritual crisis or an episode of clinical depression. The patients who truly wish to die may be the most difficult for a physician to help. Physicians should try to provide their terminally ill patients with as much support as possible until the end of their life.

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Communicating evidence for participatory decision making

Article Abstract:

Informed patients, are more likely to actively participate in their care, make wiser decisions, and coming to a common understanding with their physicians. The ways to communicate evidence that improve patient understanding, involvement in decisions, and outcomes are identified.

United States, Science & research, Management dynamics, Offices & clinics of medical doctors, Physicians & Surgeons, Offices of Physicians (except Mental Health Specialists), Research, Decision-making, Decision making

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