22 - Physician aid-in-dying and euthanasia

Summary

This chapter presents a case study which analyzes whether physicians can end a patient's life at his or her request (as in euthanasia), or otherwise collaborate with the ending of life at a patient's initiative (as in assisted suicide). A request for euthanasia or assisted suicide is an emotionally taxing situation, where a thoughtful and respectful response is particularly important. Requirements for legal euthanasia or assisted suicide include that patients need to be capable of decision making and persistently requesting death, and that there be otherwise intractable suffering. Requests for aid-in-dying should be taken seriously and carefully listened to. Screening for and treatment of problematic symptoms and depression may lead to withdrawal of the request. When a request for aid-in-dying persists and no life-sustaining treatments are being employed, the response will depend on the legal status of euthanasia or assisted suicide, and on the physician's own convictions.