Quote:
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?
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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
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