Active euthanasia violates fundamental principles
Article Abstract:
Active euthanasia is defined as any effort made by a physician to terminate life if that life is not supported by extraordinary means (life support equipment). This term is synonymous with physician-assisted suicide. The application of a physician's special knowledge to end life is a difficult ethical problem. During medical training, physicians learn to identify and diagnose depression, which is often marked by suicidal thoughts. For a seriously ill person, the availability of active euthanasia could lead the individual to choose euthanasia when some hope remained for successful treatment of the illness. Physicians can best help their patients by skillfully managing their complications and pain. Working with other professionals such as social workers and clergy, physicians can help patients take a measure of control over the remainder of their life. If physicians are expected to help patients commit suicide, the physician's role is contaminated; this would undermine society's faith in doctors as healers.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1989
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High hopes. (A piece of my mind)
Article Abstract:
In 1988, New York passed a law mandating that physicians discuss cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) with all patients who seemed likely to die. Fifty years ago, a patient with a terminal disease died with dignity, supported by physicians who kept alive and often encouraged his delusion of an ultimate return to health. Fifteen years ago, the patient would, without regard for his or her wishes, be repeatedly resuscitated and brought back to experience the continuing agony of a terminal condition. The new law, while humane, places physicians in the difficult and ethically precarious position of obtaining a patient's consent to withhold resuscitation and, in so doing, extinguishing all hope of recovery in the patient.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1989
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'HIV specialists': the time has come
Article Abstract:
It may be time to begin training doctors who can function as an HIV specialist. Many physicians have argued that HIV-infected patients can be treated by primary care physicians and referred to specialists when they develop HIV-related complications. However, other physicians believe the disease should be treated in the early asymptomatic stage. AIDS care changes rapidly and it would be hard for most primary care physicians to keep up. Studies have shown that HIV patients do better when cared for by a physician with expertise in AIDS.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1997
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