Physicians' experiences with the Oregon Death With Dignity Act

Article Abstract:

In Oregon, only 17% of the requests for a prescription for lethal drugs have been granted by doctors under the Death With Dignity Act of 1997. This law legalized physician-assisted suicide, which means that doctors can prescribe drugs that critically ill patients can use to commit suicide. A survey of 2,649 Oregon doctors found that only 5% had received a request for a lethal drug prescription. Of 165 patients who made such a request, only 29 actually received the prescription and only 17 used the drugs to commit suicide. Forty-six percent of the patients changed their minds when they were offered palliative treatment.

Statistical Data Included, Drugs, Prescriptions (Drugs)

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Oregon Physicians' Attitudes About and Experiences With End-of-Life Care Since Passage of the Oregon Death with Dignity Act

Article Abstract:

Many doctors in Oregon have tried to improve the treatment of terminally ill patients since the passage of the Death With Dignity Act in 1994. This act legalized physician-assisted suicide in Oregon and a survey of 2,641 doctors shows that they are providing better care to their dying patients.

United States, Oregon, Laws, regulations and rules, Surveys

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Legalizing assisted suicide - views of physicians in Oregon

Article Abstract:

Most Oregon physicians seem to support the legalization of assisted suicide, but many are unsure about the details of the practice. Researchers mailed surveys to physicians eligible to participate in assisted suicide under the Oregon Death with Dignity Act passed in 1994, and received surveys from 2,761 physicians. Sixty percent believed assisted suicide should be legal in some cases, and 46% would prescribe a lethal dose of medication if it were legal. Of those who would not prescribe a lethal dose, 31% raised moral objections. Half of the physicians were unsure about what drug to prescribe and were concerned about complications of failed suicide attempts. Half were also not confident they could predict a patient would die within six months, and a third were not convinced they could recognize depression in patients requesting a lethal dose. The law requires the physician to do both. Most physicians thought some patients would make the request because of financial considerations or concern about being a burden to others.

Beliefs, opinions and attitudes, Public opinion

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: The Unreliability of Individual Physician "Report Cards" for Assessing the Costs and Quality of Care of a Chronic Disease
• Abstracts: Euthanasia, physician-assisted suicide, and other medical practices involving the end of life in the Netherlands, 1990-1995

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