Physician Aid-in-Dying Case Study

.docx

School

Grand Canyon University *

*We aren’t endorsed by this school

Course

302

Subject

Medicine

Date

May 28, 2024

Type

docx

Pages

7

Uploaded by kns2711

Physician Aid-in-Dying Case Study Katelynn Sheline College of Science in Healthcare Administration HLT-305: Legal and Ethical Principles In Healthcare Shawn Buhrow April 28, 2024 1
1
Physician Aid-in-Dying Case Study If someone is facing a serious illness with no chance of recovery, they might consider the choice of Physician Aid-in-Dying. This term means a doctor gives the patient medication to peacefully end their life when they decide, rather than when fate decides. In this study, we will explore why someone like Zachary might choose this option and its legality. We will discuss the requirements patients must meet, the importance of mental health considerations, the role of others in making medical decisions, and the future of this practice in healthcare. In Oregon, there are rules for using Physician Aid-in-Dying (PAD) (Oregon Health Authority : Oregon’s Death With Dignity Act : Death With Dignity Act : State of Oregon, n.d.), and Zachary meets them all. The first requirement is that you have to be at least 18 years old while also living in Oregon to consider PAD. Additionally, you have to be able to make decisions about your healthcare independently, as well as most importantly, you need to have a terminal illness that doctors think will cause death within six months. It is overall the doctor's job to check if you meet these requirements. If you do not meet these requirements, then you cannot use the Death with Dignity Act (DWDA), which has been the law in Oregon since 1997. This law is similar to PAD, allowing people to choose when they want to die if they're terminally ill. Zachary is in a position to use PAD because he's 35 years old, he has lived in Oregon for more than 20 years, and he has advanced brain cancer with about six months left to live. Because his illness fits the criteria, Zachary can think about using PAD under Oregon's DWDA if he chooses. Meeting these conditions means Zachary can be part of the program. But let's say Zachary met all the other rules except for being diagnosed as terminally ill. Even if he had something serious like cancer that was expected to cause death within a year, he still could not opt-in to use PAD. 2
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
  • Access to all documents
  • Unlimited textbook solutions
  • 24/7 expert homework help