title: End of life decisions and assisted suicide.
abstract: End of life decisions and hastened suicide are discussed following the passage of the Death With Dignity Act in Oregon in 1994. Case examples are presented including a vignette highlighting ethical issues. Arguments for and against suicide prevention are presented, and the pros and cons of rational suicide are detailed. The experience with physician-assisted suicide in the Netherlands is briefly presented, and it is noted that in rare cases physician-assisted suicide is permitted for individuals in the Netherlands suffering primarily from mental disorders. The role of the mental health professional in end of life decisions is discussed along with a description of the proposed work of the recently established American Psychological Association working group on assisted suicide and end of life decisions.
authors: Department of Psychology, 129 Psychology Research Building, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, USA. abeles@pilot.msu.edu
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Abeles
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Barlev
mesh_terms: D003657:Decision Making; D006801:Humans; D016743:Mental Competency; D009426:Netherlands; D024382:Professional Role; D012297:Right to Die / Q000941:ethics; D017236:Suicide, Assisted / Q000941:ethics* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000523:psychology; D013727:Terminal Care; D014481:United States