title: Physician-assisted dying: review of issues and roles for health psychologists.
abstract: The authors review the recent empirical and theoretical literature on physician-assisted dying (PAD) since implementation of the Oregon Death With Dignity Act (ODDA) in 1997. The authors provide a brief overview of end-of-life practices; consider ethical and practical issues regarding PAD; outline governments' acts and health care organizations' current codified principles regarding PAD, including the American Psychological Association's goal to increase the visibility of psychology in end-of-life issues; examine recent data pertinent to ODDA implementation and psychologists' attitudes regarding PAD; and outline potential roles for health psychologists responding to requests for PAD and implementing PAD (where it is legal). Health psychologists can assume at least 4 roles regarding PAD: (a) policy advocates, (b) educators, (c) practitioners, and (d) researchers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, USA.
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Sears
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Stanton
mesh_terms: D004992:Ethics, Medical; D005065:Euthanasia; D006801:Humans; D010166:Palliative Care; D010819:Physician's Role; D017236:Suicide, Assisted