Euthanasia and palliative psychology in end-of-life care

Mitchell, Kay; Owens, R. Glynn

doi:10.1080/00050060008257478

Cited by 4 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 44 publications

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“…Palliative psychology is gaining increasing importance not only in the intervention in the care of terminal patients, but especially in the context of promoting positive relationships between the healthcare community and patients’ families [ 1 , 2 ]. One of the most complex aspects to take into account at the end of life is respect for the patient’s wishes, which, in some cases, correspond to the need to not undergo exaggerated and futile interventions or prolong a life that is perceived as not worth living [ 3 ]. With respect to the cultural context, Italian bioethical history has long been marked by a dysfunctional split between secular positions and the will of Catholic authorities [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Challenge for Palliative Psychology: Freedom of Choice at the End of Life among the Attitudes of Physicians and Nurses

Testoni

Bortolotti

Pompele

et al. 2020

Behavioral Sciences

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This article considers a particular aspect of palliative psychology that is inherent to the needs in the area of attitudes concerning Advance Healthcare Directives (AHDs) among Italian physicians and nurses after the promulgation of Law No. 219/2017 on AHDs and informed consent in 2018. The study utilized a mixed-method approach. The group of participants was composed of 102 healthcare professionals (63 females and 39 males). The quantitative part utilized the following scales: Attitudes toward Euthanasia, the Religious Orientation Scale, the Balanced Inventory of Desirable Responding, and the Testoni Death Representation Scale. The results were mostly in line with the current literature, especially concerning a positive correlation between religiosity and the participants’ rejection of the idea of euthanasia. However, the qualitative results showed both positive and negative attitudes towards AHDs, with four main thematic areas: “Positive aspects of the new law and of AHDs”, “Negative aspects of the new law and of AHDs”, “Changes that occurred in the professional context and critical incidents”, and “Attitudes towards euthanasia requests.” It emerged that there is not any polarization between Catholics or religious people and secularists: Their positions are substantially similar with respect to all aspects, including with regard to euthanasia. The general result is that the law is not sufficiently understood, and so a quarter of the participants associate AHDs with euthanasia. Discussions on the opportunity for palliative psychologists to help health professionals to better manage these issues through death education courses are presented.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Challenge for Palliative Psychology: Freedom of Choice at the End of Life among the Attitudes of Physicians and Nurses

Testoni

Bortolotti

Pompele

et al. 2020

Behavioral Sciences

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“…Seven are literature reviews or theoretical discussion. In three papers (Galbraith & Dobson, 2000;Mitchell & Owens, 2000;Sanson et al, 2008) the authors argue that psychologists should be involved in the capacity assessment process, which we believe is logical. Nevertheless, we believe psychology should go further and try to assess not just capacity but also the ability to make really informed decisions.…”

Section: ó 2018 Hogrefe Publishingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Applying the inclusion criteria we just identified 17 articles. Most of them (9) are from Canada (Galbraith & Dobson, 2000; Rodin et al., 2008; Wilson et al, 2000, 2007) and Australia (Hudson et al, 2006; Kelly et al, 2003; Mitchell & Owens, 2000; Robinson, Kissane, Brooker, & Burney, 2017; Sanson et al, 2008), 2 from United States of America (Emanuel, Fairclough, & Emanuel, 2000; Suarez-Almazor, Newman, Hanson, & Bruera, 2002) and just 6 are from Europe (Bellido-Pérez, Monforte-Royo, Tomás-Sábado, Porta-Sales, & Balaguer, 2017; Caputo, 2015; Lulé et al, 2014; Mystakidou, Parpa, & Katsouda, 2005; Mystakidou, Parpa, Katsouda, Galanos, & Vlahos, 2004; Rodríguez-Prat, Balaguer, Booth, & Monforte-Royo, 2017) and none of them from countries where hasten death is legalized. Seven are literature reviews or theoretical discussion.…”

Section: The Role Of Psychologymentioning

confidence: 99%

The Psychology of Euthanasia

Ricou

Wainwright

2019

European Psychologist

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Abstract. Voluntary euthanasia has been legalized in several countries and associated with this development there has been much discussion concerning the relationship between the ethical principle of autonomy and the respect for human life. Psychological science should make a significant contribution to understanding how polarizing positions may be taken in such debates. However, little has been written concerning the implications of this research for the euthanasia debate and about the contributions of psychology. In the same way, very little is written about the psychologist’s role in countries where voluntary euthanasia or assisted suicide is legalized. We take as a starting assumption that there are no solutions that will meet everyone’s wishes or needs, but that an understanding of psychological ideas, can assist in developing strategies that may help people with opposing views come to some agreement. In our view, it is fundamental to a fruitful analysis, to leave aside a polarized approach and to understand that an eventual answer to the question of how we approach voluntary euthanasia will only be achieved after the hard process of carefully considering the consequences of having either legalized voluntary euthanasia or its prohibition, in the context of a psychological understanding.

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“…Evaluations of competence typically assess the factual and rational understanding of information related to the decision, the ability to communicate and an appreciation of the current condition and possible outcomes (Johnson et al, 2014). In this regard, considering that psychologists can support the person in exercising their autonomy (Mitchell & Owens, 2000), psychologists can either play an important role to evaluate if the wish to die reflects the real will of the person (Ricou & Wainwright, 2019; Sinclair, 2020).…”

Section: Suggestions For the Role Of Psychologists In Hastening Deathmentioning

confidence: 99%

The role of psychologists in requests to hasten death: A literature and legislation review and an agenda for future research

2020

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The opportunity for patients to request support to die is legalised in several countries and is associated with the development of a social and political debate that has taken place in recent years. We believe that psychologists can contribute to this debate. Here, we conducted a literature and legislation review with the aim of understanding arguments regarding the roles of the psychologist in hastening death. A systematic review of the peer‐review literature in this field was carried out. The legislation of each country with hasten death practices was analysed to understand if psychologists are included in the protocols of hasten death practices. Despite a lack of literature, we found competence assessment, communication, psychological counselling, research and training and public policy to be the possible roles of psychologists in requests to hasten death. Based on the review, an agenda for future research is developed. We highlight the importance of psychology, raising its profile in the study of the various forms of death hastening requests.

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Euthanasia and palliative psychology in end-of-life care

Cited by 4 publications

References 44 publications

A Challenge for Palliative Psychology: Freedom of Choice at the End of Life among the Attitudes of Physicians and Nurses

A Challenge for Palliative Psychology: Freedom of Choice at the End of Life among the Attitudes of Physicians and Nurses

The Psychology of Euthanasia

The role of psychologists in requests to hasten death: A literature and legislation review and an agenda for future research

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