Therapeutic response to assisted suicide request.
The authors review the first publicly reported case of legal assisted suicide in the United States and discuss possible clinical responses other than assistance in suicide. Psychiatric observers have noted that acceptance of assisted suicide or euthanasia as a medical option has resulted in loss of knowledge about how to respond to suicidal ideation in the seriously ill. The authors discuss specific therapeutic interventions that may be appropriate for seriously ill patients requesting suicide.
Hamilton
N G
NG
Oregon Health Sciences University, USA. Nghamil@aol.com
Hamilton
C A
CA
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary; D009068:Movement; D009922:Oregon; D010819:Physician's Role; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D012649:Self Concept; D017236:Suicide, Assisted / Q000523:psychology*