Physician-Assisted Suicide
Introduction
Assisted suicide has been a debated topic for many decades now. Oregon was the first state in the union to allow for a physician to write a lethal prescription to end a terminally ill patients life (Volker, 2007). Since that time four other states have followed suite with similar or their own versions of legislation that allows for this type of act. Outside the United States, seven countries allow for some level of physician-assisted suicide. Most of these changes have happened fairly recently. As time goes on, health care will most likely see more and more legalization of assisted suicide. Even though this issue surrounds physicians, it is important to remember that nurses will play a crucial role in …show more content…
The father of medicine, Hippocrates, included in his initial oath that “I will give no deadly medicine to anyone if asked, nor suggest any such counsel (Greek Medicine).” Most medical schools now utilize a modernized oath that was drafted in 1948 in response to issues such as euthanasia, eugenics and the medical crimes that were committed during World War II. This revision included that physicians “will maintain the utmost respect for human life.” In 1893, a version of the Hippocratic oath was adapted for nurses. This Nightingale pledge included that nurses will not “knowingly administer or take any harmful drug (Florence). While people are becoming more accepting of physician assisted suicide, it is important to note the fact that there is a deep resistance to this change occurring on a wide …show more content…
It will continue to be emotionally charged by personal testimonies and strong opinions on each side. Entering the nursing profession, it is important to remember to care for our patients with the utmost care and responsibility. If we begin to find ourselves in situations that defy our personal morals, we must remember that our patients have the right to autonomy and to make their own decisions within each state’s legal code. As physician assisted suicide becomes more prolific nationally and globally, it is important for health care workers examine the issue for themselves, and actively participate in changing legislation that will best serve those that they
Introduction
Assisted suicide has been a debated topic for many decades now. Oregon was the first state in the union to allow for a physician to write a lethal prescription to end a terminally ill patients life (Volker, 2007). Since that time four other states have followed suite with similar or their own versions of legislation that allows for this type of act. Outside the United States, seven countries allow for some level of physician-assisted suicide. Most of these changes have happened fairly recently. As time goes on, health care will most likely see more and more legalization of assisted suicide. Even though this issue surrounds physicians, it is important to remember that nurses will play a crucial role in …show more content…
The father of medicine, Hippocrates, included in his initial oath that “I will give no deadly medicine to anyone if asked, nor suggest any such counsel (Greek Medicine).” Most medical schools now utilize a modernized oath that was drafted in 1948 in response to issues such as euthanasia, eugenics and the medical crimes that were committed during World War II. This revision included that physicians “will maintain the utmost respect for human life.” In 1893, a version of the Hippocratic oath was adapted for nurses. This Nightingale pledge included that nurses will not “knowingly administer or take any harmful drug (Florence). While people are becoming more accepting of physician assisted suicide, it is important to note the fact that there is a deep resistance to this change occurring on a wide …show more content…
It will continue to be emotionally charged by personal testimonies and strong opinions on each side. Entering the nursing profession, it is important to remember to care for our patients with the utmost care and responsibility. If we begin to find ourselves in situations that defy our personal morals, we must remember that our patients have the right to autonomy and to make their own decisions within each state’s legal code. As physician assisted suicide becomes more prolific nationally and globally, it is important for health care workers examine the issue for themselves, and actively participate in changing legislation that will best serve those that they