Patients' voices are needed in debates on euthanasia

Mak, Yvonne; Elwyn, Glyn; Finlay, Ilora

doi:10.1136/bmj.327.7408.213

Cited by 25 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…A brief note on my methodology before diving in: while I draw on various forms of data, I have intentionally sought out qualitative as well as quantitative research regarding suicide and medically assisted dying. By doing so, I hope in part to align this project with the growing recognition within suicidology of the importance of including the voices of those who have attempted or considered suicide, 10 as well as with a broader recognition of the need for patient voices in discussions of medically assisted dying 11 . Moreover, the perspectives of those who have sought to end their lives seem important for the question at hand.…”

Section: Articlementioning

confidence: 97%

Medically Assisted Dying and Suicide: How Are They Different, and How Are They Similar?

Friesen¹

2020

Hastings Center Report

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The practice of medically assisted dying has long been contentious, and the question of what to call it has become increasingly contentious as well. Particularly among U.S. proponents of legalizing the practice, there has been a growing push away from calling it “physician‐assisted suicide,” with assertions that medically assisted dying is fundamentally different from suicide. Digging deeper into this claim about difference leads to an examination of the difference between two kinds of suffering—suffering from physical conditions and suffering from psychological conditions—and therefore leads also toward an examination of whether requests for medical assistance in dying by those suffering from psychological conditions and those suffering from physical conditions should be painted with the same brush. In this article, I aim both to illuminate some of the considerations that ought to be included in discussions related to medically assisted dying and to shed light on what the indirect effects of such discussions can be. I consider some of the reasons commonly given for holding that suicide and medically assisted dying differ fundamentally and then whether the conclusion that medically assisted dying should not be called “suicide” follows from the premises. I ask what else might justify the conclusion that the two acts ought to be called by different names, and I examine possible justifications for accepting this premise, as well as what justifications might exist for emphasizing how the acts are alike. Finally, I argue that we should be cautious before concluding that medically assisted dying should not be called “suicide.” We need more evidence either that the two acts are fundamentally different or that emphasizing differences between them is not likely to do more harm than good.

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Section: Articlementioning

confidence: 97%

Medically Assisted Dying and Suicide: How Are They Different, and How Are They Similar?

Friesen¹

2020

Hastings Center Report

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“…These are empirical claims about the thoughts and values of the terminally ill but there is remarkably little evidence to support them. Much of the debate about the concerns of dying patients has been defined by, and filtered through, the views of family, carers and health‐care professionals or has involved patients who have chronic illnesses but are not close to death 13–15 . We wished, therefore, to investigate Annas’ empirical claim to see whether terminally ill patients were indeed desperate for cure, whether cure was the only outcome of research they valued and whether they did have difficulty distinguishing research from treatment.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hospice patients’ views on research in palliative care

Terry

Olson

Ravenscroft

et al. 2006

Internal Medicine Journal

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“…Little is known about euthanasia or assisted suicide from the patients' point of view. 14 We explore these issues from the perspectives of people who knew they were terminally ill.…”

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confidence: 99%

What people close to death say about euthanasia and assisted suicide: a qualitative study: Table 1

et al. 2006

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Objective:To explore the experiences of people with a “terminal illness”, focusing on the patients’ perspective of euthanasia and assisted suicide.Method:A qualitative study using narrative interviews was conducted throughout the UK. The views of the 18 people who discussed euthanasia and assisted suicide were explored. These were drawn from a maximum variation sample, who said that they had a “terminal” illness, malignant or non-malignant.Results:That UK law should be changed to allow assisted suicide or voluntary euthanasia was felt strongly by most people. Those who had seen others die were particularly convinced that this should be a right. Some had multiple reasons, including pain and anticipated pain, fear of indignity, loss of control and cognitive impairment. Those who did not want to be a burden also had other reasons for wanting euthanasia. Suicide was contemplated by a few, who would have preferred a change in the law to allow them to end their lives with medical help and in the company of family or friends. The few who opposed a change in UK law, or who felt ambivalent, focused on involuntary euthanasia, cited religious reasons or worried that new legislation might be open to abuse.Conclusion:Qualitative research conducted on people who know they are nearing death is an important addition to the international debate on euthanasia and assisted suicide. Those who had seen others die were particularly convinced that the law should be changed to allow assisted death.

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Patients' voices are needed in debates on euthanasia

Cited by 25 publications

References 16 publications

Medically Assisted Dying and Suicide: How Are They Different, and How Are They Similar?

Medically Assisted Dying and Suicide: How Are They Different, and How Are They Similar?

Hospice patients’ views on research in palliative care

What people close to death say about euthanasia and assisted suicide: a qualitative study: Table 1

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