Doctor/Medical Assisted Suicide

[AOII Angel]

Meh. Patients don't need a physician to assist them to commit suicide, IMHO. A physician has a duty to do no harm. I think it puts physicians in a tough position.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

Meh. Patients don't need a physician to assist them to commit suicide, IMHO. A physician has a duty to do no harm. I think it puts physicians in a tough position.

"Harm" is an awfully difficult word to define.

At some point, wouldn't not carrying out the express wishes of the patient when they have a very painful death approaching and a no hope terminal diagnosis actually be harmful?

I responded "maybe, depends on the illness" for the record. I don't think physician assisted suicide should be available for anyone without a terminal diagnosis and a short amount of time to live. Once the decision is made, it's awfully tough to reverse course. Also, I don't want anyone with mental illness to think of physician assisted suicide as a means to deal with the symptoms of their illness.

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by Kevin

"Harm" is an awfully difficult word to define.

At some point, wouldn't not carrying out the express wishes of the patient when they have a very painful death approaching and a no hope terminal diagnosis actually be harmful? No. They can commit suicide without the help of a physician. It's been done for millennia.

I responded "maybe, depends on the illness" for the record. I don't think physician assisted suicide should be available for anyone without a terminal diagnosis and a short amount of time to live. Once the decision is made, it's awfully tough to reverse course. Also, I don't want anyone with mental illness to think of physician assisted suicide as a means to deal with the symptoms of their illness.

The physician's job is not to carry out every wish of the patient. That does not constitute harm.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

The physician's job is not to carry out every wish of the patient. That does not constitute harm.

I didn't say that at all.

Ever hear the phrase "Doing more harm than good"? Physicians have been known to be guilty of that from time to time despite trying to do no harm. In some cases, the best course of treatment for a patient is for that patient to die. Why not let physician assisted suicide ensure the patient's passing is as peaceful as possible?

Under the Washington law, the physician isn't actually the person pulling the trigger, so to speak. They simply provide a surefire and pain-free means to an end. The physical act of suicide is done by the patient according to the law, even if that means knocking some pills into the feeding tube or whatever.

[ComradesTrue]

Originally Posted by Kevin

In some cases, the best course of treatment for a patient is for that patient to die. Why not let physician assisted suicide ensure the patient's passing is as peaceful as possible?

Yes, there are many, many occasions when the best course of treatment is to let a patient go comfortably. However, there are already procedures in place for that- hospice care.

What many aren't aware of is that often the physician recognizes when artificial life-extending measures are futile and they DO recommend hospice care. It is often the families, who for a whole gamut of reasons (denial, guilt, hope, faith, etc), are unwilling to let the loved one go peacefully and request "full code" status. (this would be the case when loved one is unable to make own medical decisions and next of kin is required)

However, hospice care and families unwilling to let grandmama go peacefully is a whole 'nother topic and not what Dr Phil is asking about. Therefore, I won't dereail. Just wanted to clarify that artificial measures to extend life in a futile situation are done at patient and family request, not because a physician just wants to. There is also not a need for physician assisted suicide to allow a patient to die comfortably. Hospice is an excellent alternative.

#marriedtoanoncologist #heartragicfamilystoriesdaily

[DrPhil]

Blondie93, please feel free to discuss a range of topics that fuel your opinion on physician assisted suicide.

I tried to include other alternatives in the poll.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

Meh. Patients don't need a physician to assist them to commit suicide, IMHO. A physician has a duty to do no harm. I think it puts physicians in a tough position.

I agree. I actually agree with aspects of both sides of the issue.

Thanks for providing one medical doctor's perspective.