Euthanasia and Medical Assistance in Dying as Challenges for Physicians’ Well-Being
Year: 2021
Type: book-chapter
Abstract: While the debate about the ethical and moral implications and contrasting positions on active euthanasia (EU) and medical assistance in dying (MAiD) for terminally ill patients has been part of medicine for a long time, a significant change in the organization of health systems in several countries where these practices are today legal makes this a pressing issue. Since both EU and MAiD may also include patients not at the end of their life but affected by other forms of suffering, such as major neurocognitive disorders (e.g., dementia) or psychiatric disorders (e.g., depression, personality disorders, schizophrenia), that makes their quality of life poor, the challenge for physicians has increased. There are a few studies available on the emotional impact on physicians performing EU and/or MAiD and a relative dearth of research on the characteristics of physicians providing EU and MAiD and how this may influence and impact on physician health and well-being. The psychological implications on physicians of practices involving hastening the death of a patient should be more specifically examined in the light of the professional roles, responsibilities, personal expectations, moral boundaries, and duties associated with the practice of medicine.
Source: Springer eBooks
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W3215607073