Physician-Assisted Death
Introduction
The ethical dilemma I chose is physician-assisted death. I chose this because it has been in the news and it is a topic which has always interested me as a nurse I very much value life but also believe in one being able to make their own decisions regarding their health care but do not believe this is meant to involve takings one’s own life.
Ethical Dilemma
Physician-assisted death, is it right or is it wrong? Is it our right to choose when and how we die? Is it our right to ask someone to help us end our life? Physician-assisted death is also known as physician-assisted suicide. It is the act of having a physician help you to take your own life. Physician-assisted death is where the physician provides …show more content…
Health care costs are rising daily, to take care of loved one is costly. Patients may feel like a financal burden to their families and feel this will help them out financially. Many people in our country do not have health insurance. Physician-assisted death can be a cheaper solution than long expensive treatment that will only prolong the persons life. Other thoughts may be taking a burden off of society if they are receiving medical assistance by way of their state. Patients may feel they are more in control of their health care and of their disease. However, just because we have the laws stating it is ok does that mean that it is? Should only the rich be able to afford health care? Physician-assisted death should not be a way to avoid paying for health care costs.
Physicians have a duty to do no harm according to the Hippocratic Oath. We encourgage our patients to be involved in their own health care to be their own advocate, to have a sense of autonomy. However we need to also give them other alternatives. Ones that are ethically acceptable yet allow them to make their own decisions. Having some states that have physician-assisted death legal and others that do not affects our social justice system. If it is allowed in one state, then to be fair it should be allowed in all
Introduction
The ethical dilemma I chose is physician-assisted death. I chose this because it has been in the news and it is a topic which has always interested me as a nurse I very much value life but also believe in one being able to make their own decisions regarding their health care but do not believe this is meant to involve takings one’s own life.
Ethical Dilemma
Physician-assisted death, is it right or is it wrong? Is it our right to choose when and how we die? Is it our right to ask someone to help us end our life? Physician-assisted death is also known as physician-assisted suicide. It is the act of having a physician help you to take your own life. Physician-assisted death is where the physician provides …show more content…
Health care costs are rising daily, to take care of loved one is costly. Patients may feel like a financal burden to their families and feel this will help them out financially. Many people in our country do not have health insurance. Physician-assisted death can be a cheaper solution than long expensive treatment that will only prolong the persons life. Other thoughts may be taking a burden off of society if they are receiving medical assistance by way of their state. Patients may feel they are more in control of their health care and of their disease. However, just because we have the laws stating it is ok does that mean that it is? Should only the rich be able to afford health care? Physician-assisted death should not be a way to avoid paying for health care costs.
Physicians have a duty to do no harm according to the Hippocratic Oath. We encourgage our patients to be involved in their own health care to be their own advocate, to have a sense of autonomy. However we need to also give them other alternatives. Ones that are ethically acceptable yet allow them to make their own decisions. Having some states that have physician-assisted death legal and others that do not affects our social justice system. If it is allowed in one state, then to be fair it should be allowed in all