This Article Full Text (OnlineFirst PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Rodriguez Davila, S. L. Articles by Caserta, M. T. PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Rodriguez Davila, S. L. Articles by Caserta, M. T. Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

Management of a Request for Physician-Assisted Suicide

James A. Haley VA Hospital

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: elizabeth.vidal1{at}va.gov.

	Abstract

With the legalization of physician-assisted suicide (PAS) in several states, it remains controversial whether present guidelines take into account the complexity of identifying treatable sources of suffering, including underlying depression and other psychiatric disorders, in this high risk population. We present a case in which a patient with end-stage prostate cancer requested PAS; this request was in a state where PAS is not a legal option. He was evaluated psychiatrically and was not found to be depressed, but ample opportunities were found to improve his quality of life. With appropriate treatment, he lost interest in PAS as an option. We discuss the need for a comprehensive evaluation to properly assess and manage the untreated physical and emotional suffering that may influence a patient’s decision to hasten death.

First published on August 7, 2009
American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine® 2009, doi:10.1177/1049909109341874


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?