[Michigangirl]

Earlier today there was a thread regarding Dr. Kevorkian's release from prison. Just as I was adding my thoughts, it got moved to the Current Events restricted area.

At that time, it seemed like there was 100% support for him. Honestly, I was surprised, especially since not everyone he killed was terminally ill. (I'm from Michigan, though, so maybe I know more about his history).

So I'm wondering, do nurses generally support the theory of physician assisted suicide?

[TazziRN]

Under the proper conditions (medical reason, etc.) and very strict guidelines, yes I do.

[Jolie]

No, I don't.

[lost in boston]

I agree that helping people have dignity and peace when faced with their own mortality should be given the tools to choose to die with peace, dignity,grace and pain free.....

[CritterLover]

Yes, when the suicide is for medical reasons, rather than psychological reasons.

I do realize that there is a fine line at times, and I don't want to be the one to draw up the guidelines.

I just don't understand why someone can make all the decisions there are in life, except for how/when to die.

I think that if more terminally ill people knew that this was an option at the very end, they might be able to spend their final days living rather than agonizing about how they might die. Even if they didn't end up chosing physician-assisted suicide, I think knowing they had the option would be comforting to many.

But, that might just be me.

[TazziRN]

Right on, Critter, that's exactly how I feel.

[crissrn27]

I am in favor of a strict guide lined program for PAS. And I agree, I really wouldn't want to be the ones writing up the guidelines. What is the big deal with this? I mean, come on, its not like it doesn't happen everyday.

As far as guidelines go, I'm not sure how to go about that. If we only allowed "terminal" patients to have AS, what about the ones with severe, chronic pain? Etc. ect.

It would be a big pain to implement, but the animal medical community has done it, I think we can too.

Its kind of funny, when this subject was brought up I remembered a series of books I am hooked on. The "In Death" series by JD Robb. In these books (based in the years around 2060) PAS is a common practice, that the characters refer to on occasion. Perhaps we should let Nora Roberts write the guidelines, lol.

[GilaRN]

I do not support PAS.

[EarthChild1130]

I do, given strict medical and psychological guidelines...I think a terminally ill person should have the right to decide when and how they die...and at great risk of sounding tacky, I afford the 'good death' to my beloved pets, and if someone terminally ill wants that same 'good death', that's up to that person, not me.

[Altra]

Originally Posted by Michigangirl

So I'm wondering, do nurses generally support the theory of physician assisted suicide?

I do not.