Legalized physician-assisted suicide in Oregon--the second year

Area of Science:

• Medical Ethics
• Public Health Policy
• End-of-Life Care

Background:

• Oregon legalized physician-assisted suicide in 1997.
• Previous data reported on terminally ill residents in 1998.
• This study presents data for 1999.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report data on physician-assisted suicide in Oregon for 1999.
• To analyze the characteristics and motivations of patients.
• To compare 1999 data with 1998 data.

Main Methods:

• Data collected from physicians' reports and death certificates.
• Interviews conducted with physicians and family members.
• Analysis of medication prescriptions and patient outcomes.

Main Results:

• 27 patients died after ingesting lethal medications in 1999, an increase from 16 in 1998.
• Median age was 71; common illnesses included cancer, ALS, and COPD.
• Motivations included loss of autonomy and desire for control over death.

Conclusions:

• The number of physician-assisted deaths increased in the second year of legalization but remained a small proportion of total deaths.
• Patient motivations centered on autonomy and control over the dying process.