Oregon: does physician-assisted suicide work?

Area of Science:

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

Background:

• Physician-assisted suicide was illegal in Oregon prior to the Death with Dignity Act.
• The Death with Dignity Act, enacted in November 1997, legalized physician-assisted suicide in Oregon.
• This legislation distinguishes between physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report on the implementation and outcomes of Oregon's Death with Dignity Act.
• To provide data collected by the Oregon Department of Human Services.
• To present findings from the Sixth Annual Report on the Act.

Main Methods:

• Data collection mandated by the Oregon Department of Human Services.
• Compilation and analysis of information related to the Death with Dignity Act.
• Publication of an annual report detailing the Act's impact.

Main Results:

• The Sixth Annual Report was released on March 10, 2004.
• The report provides data on physician-assisted suicide in Oregon since the Act's inception.
• Oregon has permitted physician-assisted suicide for its approximately 3.3 million residents since 1997.

Conclusions:

• The Death with Dignity Act established a legal framework for physician-assisted suicide in Oregon.
• The Oregon Department of Human Services is responsible for monitoring and reporting on the Act.
• Annual reports provide ongoing insights into the practice of physician-assisted suicide in the state.