Physician Assisted Suicide

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Recommended: Legal and ethical issues surrounding physician-assisted suicides

In the medical field a controversial topic is that of euthanasia. Euthanasia is the act or practice of ending the life of an individual suffering from a terminal illness or an incurable condition, as by lethal injection or the suspension of extraordinary medical treatment. Euthanasia in the medical field is also known as Physician Assisted Suicide. In order for a physician to even consider euthanasia there are a six steps to follow for approval. One the patient must be deemed medically aware of what they are asking. Two the patient must be terminally ill. Three the patient is informed of their situation and prospects. Four there are no reasonable prospects to relieve suffering. Five an independent physician must be consulted. Six euthanasia …show more content…

Physicians are concerned they will be unjustly charged. An online research survey was conducted to show unjustly charges and accusations upon physicians. “The survey was administered to members of a national palliative medicine professional society because these practitioners are most likely to be involved in the management of end-of-life cases The overall survey findings have just been published, (3) and 25 of 633 respondents (4%) reported having been formally investigated for hastening a patient's death when that was not their intention--13 while using opiates for symptom relief and 6 for using various medications while discontinuing mechanical ventilation. In one-third of these cases, a fellow member of the health care team initiated the charges against the physician.” (Cohen.) Even though there are strong accusations against physicians, some even going as far as to say that they are committing murder, this should not change the decision to do right by the patient. “Even in the face of potential accusations of euthanasia or murder, clinicians ought not to be bullied into compromising their management of dying patients and won't be if they know their institution has protocols for dealing with accusations when they arise.” …show more content…

According to Christiaan Barnard a world-renowned surgeon, he believed there was good life and good death. “He advocated compassion for the terminally ill but at the same time encouraged intense discussions when suffering and severe deterioration were at stake.” (Toledo-Pereyra. Pg.125) Barnard never practiced active euthanasia due to it not being legal and was considered murder in his country. Barnard was concerned about how it would make him feel to be unable to control the personal environment you live in. Barnard believed that if in the position where deemed terminally ill it would be better to die then to live out the rest of your life

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