Euthanasia is intentionally ending a life to relieve pain and suffering of a person who is beyond the point of recovery (Quill 8). A form of euthanasia, known as Physician-assisted suicide (PAS) is when a physician provides information and or medication to help the patient end their own life (Lachman 1). A patient should have the right to control the circumstances of their own death and determine how much pain and suffering is enough (Quill 7). In the Bill of Rights of patients, it is a person’s right to be treated for illness and refuse treatment (connect us 2). The criteria of being able to qualify for this type of treatment is very strict. Usually, the patients involved are very ill with a life threatening disease (Wilson 3). From the
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This is the data the survey came up with. 13 out of the 14 patients agreed that PAS should be allowed (Wilson 3). 60% said they would use PAS immediately if it was legalized (Wilson 3). 43% said they believe it is their right to choose. They also asked the patients why they thought PAS should be legalized (Wilson 3). 43% also said they would consider PAS for pain (Wilson 3). 35% said because of the diminished quality of life that comes with terminal diseases (Wilson 3). 24% said because of the suffering that they experience (Wilson 3). 24% said because of the hopeless situations that can come with terminal illness (Wilson 3). 18% said because the mental symptoms are enough to make them consider PAS (Wilson 3). 14% believe that the burden it puts on their loved ones is unnecessary and could be solved by PAS (Wilson 3). 8% said the knowledge of their disease and the experience that they know they will face, is enough to want to use PAS to save them the trouble of going through the trouble (Wilson …show more content…
Drugs for PAS cost less than the cost of medical care for terminally ill patients and could save them and their family money (NYLN 1). Data that has been collected shows that if 2.7% of patients chose PAS rather than ride the disease to their death, it would save the U.S approximately 627 million dollars a year (Emanuel M.D 1). Further on the cost savings of PAS, if the patient chose PAS it would save families at least 10 thousand dollars because that is the average cost of a patient’s last month to live in the hospital (Emanuel M.D 1). Having PAS available as an option also retains a patient’s dignity (NYLN 1). When the patient chooses PAS, usually the physician inserts 10 ml of a drug called Secobarbital, and then the patient becomes unconscious within a minute and dies within 7 minutes ( Cohen 2). By it being such a quick and uncomplicated death the patient can choose where, and when they want their death to occur. They can even decide if they want to be surrounded by their loved ones while they pass. And several patients have told the physicians that it gave them a lot more dignity being able to control their own
This is the data the survey came up with. 13 out of the 14 patients agreed that PAS should be allowed (Wilson 3). 60% said they would use PAS immediately if it was legalized (Wilson 3). 43% said they believe it is their right to choose. They also asked the patients why they thought PAS should be legalized (Wilson 3). 43% also said they would consider PAS for pain (Wilson 3). 35% said because of the diminished quality of life that comes with terminal diseases (Wilson 3). 24% said because of the suffering that they experience (Wilson 3). 24% said because of the hopeless situations that can come with terminal illness (Wilson 3). 18% said because the mental symptoms are enough to make them consider PAS (Wilson 3). 14% believe that the burden it puts on their loved ones is unnecessary and could be solved by PAS (Wilson 3). 8% said the knowledge of their disease and the experience that they know they will face, is enough to want to use PAS to save them the trouble of going through the trouble (Wilson …show more content…
Drugs for PAS cost less than the cost of medical care for terminally ill patients and could save them and their family money (NYLN 1). Data that has been collected shows that if 2.7% of patients chose PAS rather than ride the disease to their death, it would save the U.S approximately 627 million dollars a year (Emanuel M.D 1). Further on the cost savings of PAS, if the patient chose PAS it would save families at least 10 thousand dollars because that is the average cost of a patient’s last month to live in the hospital (Emanuel M.D 1). Having PAS available as an option also retains a patient’s dignity (NYLN 1). When the patient chooses PAS, usually the physician inserts 10 ml of a drug called Secobarbital, and then the patient becomes unconscious within a minute and dies within 7 minutes ( Cohen 2). By it being such a quick and uncomplicated death the patient can choose where, and when they want their death to occur. They can even decide if they want to be surrounded by their loved ones while they pass. And several patients have told the physicians that it gave them a lot more dignity being able to control their own