I just finished watching a Frontline documentary called "The Suicide Tourist" which followed a man that was diagnosed with ALS and was seeking assisted suicide in Switzerland. I found it very interesting and learned quite a bit. I was under the impression that a medication was administered to the person but it is actually poured in a glass and the person must drink it on their own. The only thing that the facilitator can do is to hold the glass if the person can not hold it on their own.
In the documentary it also said that there are three states in the U.S.A. that have physician assisted suicide programs. Is anyone familiar with any of these programs? Or perhaps has worked in one before?
I highly recommend watching this documentary. It is available on Netflix right now.
Please don't shoot the girl that's not in nursing yet (LOL), but Grey's Anatomy did this topic a few months ago (they're in Washington) and I know how wrong medical tv shows can be, but she wrote out a prescription for meds and another doc had to cosign it... wonder how much truth there is to that?
Also, if we put our animals down, so they're not suffering, why not do the same for someone who can articulate the want for the same respect?
One1's links giv there clearing verbage of the laws as they are now.
Living in Oregon I see some of this first hand. At the Oncology clinic I work for our doctors are willing to write perscriptions for these patients to take at home on their own by their own hand.
Most care homes have their own protocols that do not allow them to perticipate in any form of assisted suicide.So just because a person qualifies there is other red tape that may come in the way.
By the numbers it is actually rare for an assisted suicide pt to follow through with suicide. Often the prescription is a comfort to them that they can have some control over their own body.
However on the other hand we have had a patient commit suicide by gun shot after hearing his diagnosis. So in my opinion I would much rather have my loved one take pills or drink and have a more peaceful death than a gun shot.
This really is a refreshingly thought-provoking and complex topic. While I have conflicting opinions on assisted suicide, sometimes I wondered why it must become a matter of policy, bringing about so much heated debate. My thought went, if one decides to end his/her life, they can do so without involving healthcare workers and spare them the guilt and dilemma. But then I guess, like prowlingMA mentioned, a violent and cruel method like gunshot can't compare with peaceful end with pills.
OP, thanks for the post. I'll definitely watch that documentary and am glad you brought up the topic and that so many people have contributed information and links! A fascinating subject.
Some of you will notice that there have been changes in a post (or posts) belonging to you. Earlier in the thread, I made a staff request that messages not veer down the path of debating the morality of assisted suicide. I had said that posts violating this request would be removed or edited. They were. Also, posts that quoted deleted material were either removed or edited to reflect the changes.
Please do not respond to posts made earlier in this thread that engage in religious debate. Stay on the subject of assisted suicide, not its moral implications. This is an interesting topic. I hope we can keep it open.
I worship the God of my choosing. and I believe that our creator would NOT choose to allow his children to suffer needlessly. When it is that time that our earthly husk is far too painful to live with, we help drive ourselves to heaven's gate. A earthly choice that may be made, would be forgiven by the mercy of Our Father. JMHO.
Specializes in Medsurg/ICU, Mental Health, Home Health.
This really is a refreshingly thought-provoking and complex topic. While I have conflicting opinions on assisted suicide, sometimes I wondered why it must become a matter of policy, bringing about so much heated debate. My thought went, if one decides to end his/her life, they can do so without involving healthcare workers and spare them the guilt and dilemma. But then I guess, like prowlingMA mentioned, a violent and cruel method like gunshot can't compare with peaceful end with pills.
That makes sense, Tokebi, and I agree with you for the most part.
However, a lot of suicide attempts end up being just that - attempts, because it's hard to ensure death. We had a patient at our hospital make an impressive jump from a suspension bridge into a river. People jump from this bridge semi-regularly, and don't live. She did, and the results weren't pretty. It's even worse if a person lives from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, or a hanging. And THOSE methods usually work.
The taking of pills, while most likely more peaceful, won't work nearly as well as one's drastic, violent methods. Plenty of people survive intentional overdoses (and quite a few go on to overdose again!)
So I guess it's a kind of "security of death" if a provider is doing it.
Your thread was very timely for me... I had just got done watching it on Netflix and you posted this thread. This PBS show was excellent and done in great taste. I cried at the end, but was so grateful for the man who allowed us to take his last journey with him.
Your thread was very timely for me... I had just got done watching it on Netflix and you posted this thread. This PBS show was excellent and done in great taste. I cried at the end, but was so grateful for the man who allowed us to take his last journey with him.
i just finished watching it, too.
very sensitively done, and it truly IS an act of extraordinary compassion.
Personally I think the choice of how, when, and where to die should be afforded to everyone, and that's all I'll say to avoid a moral discussion.
To the OP: I haven't worked with a physician that assists suicides, but my state does not allow them. I saw the documentary, but it was quite a while ago and I can't remember what country the man was in. I know Denmark is rather progressive in terms of assisted suicide.
To the OP: I haven't worked with a physician that assists suicides, but my state does not allow them. I saw the documentary, but it was quite a while ago and I can't remember what country the man was in. I know Denmark is rather progressive in terms of assisted suicide.
bridezillatobe
34 Posts
Please don't shoot the girl that's not in nursing yet (LOL), but Grey's Anatomy did this topic a few months ago (they're in Washington) and I know how wrong medical tv shows can be, but she wrote out a prescription for meds and another doc had to cosign it... wonder how much truth there is to that?
Also, if we put our animals down, so they're not suffering, why not do the same for someone who can articulate the want for the same respect?