Physician aid-in-dying: cautionary words

Area of Science:

• Medical Ethics
• Palliative Care
• End-of-Life Care

Background:

• Physician-assisted suicide (PAS) and euthanasia are increasingly debated and legalized globally.
• Deep terminal sedation (DTS) is a growing practice for managing intractable end-of-life symptoms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review aspects of PAS and euthanasia.
• To discuss the use and implications of DTS in end-of-life care.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of PAS, euthanasia, and DTS.
• Analysis of risks and ethical considerations.

Main Results:

• PAS and euthanasia pose risks to vulnerable populations (depressed, disabled).
• Concerns exist regarding inadequate psychiatric evaluations and unreported cases in some jurisdictions.
• DTS use is increasing, with evidence suggesting it is sometimes employed to hasten death, challenging "double-effect" justifications.

Conclusions:

• Caution is advised regarding PAS and euthanasia due to potential risks to vulnerable patients.
• Further research is essential to understand the appropriate use and potential misuse of DTS.