Rational suicide in the terminally ill.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the current debate over the right to die specific to the rational suicide of terminally ill patients.


METHODS
Literature was reviewed for information concerning historical end-of-life practices and the past acceptance of suicide. Another review showed philosophical opinions and perspectives that spanned from ancient Greece and the Roman Empire to modern philosophical discourse. A case study of a terminally ill woman who chose suicide is presented to apply the history and philosophy to nursing care today.


CONCLUSIONS
As more nursing care is delivered in patients' homes, nurses will face this situation with increasing frequency. A call is made for organizations to provide guidelines for nursing practice.
Fontana
Joyce S
JS
Nursing Resource Center, Saint Joseph College, West Hartford, CT, USA. Joycefontana@aol.com
D000368:Aged; D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000523:psychology; D005065:Euthanasia / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology*; D013727:Terminal Care; D019452:Terminally Ill / Q000523:psychology*