BMJ  2003;327:213-215 (26 July), doi:10.1136/bmj.327.7408.213

Education and debate

Patients' voices are needed in debates on euthanasia

¹ Bradbury Hospice, A Kung Kok Shan Road, Shatin, Hong Kong, ² Primary Care Research Group, University of Wales Swansea Clinical School, Swansea, SA2 8PP, ³ School of Medicine, University of Wales College of Medicine, Cardiff CF14 7XL

Medically assisted death is legal in a few countries, and discussion about legalisation is ongoing in many others. But legalisation may be premature when we still do not know why patients want euthanasia and whether better end of life care would change their views

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Countless debates have been held on euthanasia, but little research has been done into the experiences of patients who request it. Proponents portray an undignified death and opponents fear the potential dangers of legalising euthanasia, but the fundamental question is why patients want euthanasia. Current debates have been based on perspectives of medical professionals, academics, lawyers, politicians, and the public. Qualitative, experiential, and patient based research is needed to help capture the complexity of patients' subjective experiences and elucidate the influences and meanings that underpin their desire for death.

Justifications for legalisation of euthanasia have pivoted on unbearable suffering, respect for autonomy, and dignified death. Proponents argue, from the principles of compassion and self determination, that mentally competent patients with an incurable illness and intolerable suffering should be able to choose the manner and timing of their death. This view is gaining support within an increasingly secular society with an . . . [Full text of this article]

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This article has been cited by other articles:

• Chapple, A, Ziebland, S, McPherson, A, Herxheimer, A (2006). What people close to death say about euthanasia and assisted suicide: a qualitative study. J. Med. Ethics 32: 706-710 [Abstract] [Full text]  
• Georges, J.-J., Onwuteaka-Philipsen, B. D, van der Wal, G., van der Heide, A., van der Maas, P. J (2005). Differences between terminally ill cancer patients who died after euthanasia had been performed and terminally ill cancer patients who did not request euthanasia. Palliat Med 19: 578-586 [Abstract]  
• Clark, J. (2003). Patient centred death. BMJ 327: 174-175 [Full text]  

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