Physician-Assisted Suicides

Physician-Assisted Suicides

Physicians often find themselves at a crossroads to either follow specific laws of the state or adhere to the professional code of conduct. In the matter of Physician-Assisted suicide, a lot of debate has ensued. Some argue that it is necessary while other terms it unethical to the profession. Physician-Assisted Suicide, according to the American Medical Association (AMA), is a situation whereby the physician helps and facilitates the death of a patient by giving means and information, enabling the patient to commit suicide (Llamas, 2018). The study tries to look into the ethicality of PAS and whether it is right or wrong.

The issue culminated from the ruling of the US Supreme Court in 1997, which termed the state laws criminalizing PAS unconstitutional (Lagay, 2003). However, the verdict through misinterpretation has continued to elicit debate on the matter. Many states in the US have legalized PAS with Oregon being the first one to do so while Michigan, Washington, California, and Maine the following suit in allowing the act. Others have stood firm in criminalizing the act of helping patients commit suicide (Lagay, 2003). In an attempt to justify the reason for not legalizing, the states argue that it would pressure the terminally ill who feel like a burden to their family members in all aspects.

However, according to the Maine Medical Society`s executive doctor, PAS is a contradiction of the 2000 years of medical ethics (Lagay, 2003). PAS is prohibited by the AMA`s code of medical ethics. The issue which through the advanced technology in the medical professional is bringing different feelings and making the choices for the physicians hard. Today it is a matter of choosing between the law and the professional code of ethics. Most states allow a physician  helped abortions and also PAS. However, a thing of consideration is whether the law binds a physician. Or is propelled to uphold their professional ethics and code of work and personal beliefs.

The mater is a severe situation and also a tough dilemma for the physician. Most of the ter4minal ill patients seek the PAS method due to the fear of violent death (Lagay, 2003). Also, if the physician fails to administer the request of the patient, they will ultimately seek the services elsewhere or even use far worse methods. Similarly, the argument is that at last, the patient will die at some point. However, the big question to the physicians is whether they should have a say on when the patient dies, or they should continue to offer medical assistance and keep the patient alive at all costs.

Also, the community feels that PAS is a way of reducing the suffering of the patients. The ethical execution provides that the patient be given the right to live before been given the right to die. However, when the professional comes into conflict with matters regarding the law, it is the physician who finds it difficult. Nevertheless, between issues of the law and professional ethics, the physician should not become compelled by the legal issues to act upon a patient’s decision. Still, they should follow their belief and the prescribed code of ethics.

The unique view on the ethical and moral conduct of PAS warrants the problem to become an issue that requires immediate intervention. The law itself legalizes the right to end the life of a patient with various categories where applicable (Llamas, 2018). Patients under terminally and critical chronic illness have the will to demand their end of life by physicians. However, this gives a freeway for the physician to provide hope to the patients. In the medical profession and the health care system, a patient should always find hope, and the physician should explore all possible ways before losing hope on the patient.

The issue also becomes a problem because most of the health facilities are into a money-making, and the need for profits would push them to warrant and accommodate the patients’ wish fearing to lose them to other facilitates. Also, the repercussion of the act to the family members and the public need consideration before execution. There is a possibility of the PAS failing to act, and that would leave the patient devastated. Most of the patients have also managed to overcome the situation that others demand to end their lives. Among other things, the case requires more deliberation before being adopted by the medical practitioners and al the implications and ramifications considered.

It is, however, upon the health care to choose and act upon the mater of legal grounds or adhere to the code of conduct. Similarly, these ramifications require well-laid procedures and guidelines that the healthcare systems can follow. As it is now, some countries criminalize the act while others legalize it, making patients seek medical services in those states they know it is easy for them to ask for a PAS.

Consequently, the legal issues should not erode the moral and ethical issues in the health care systems. However, with the increased technology and constant advancement of the medical industry, elaborate measure and undertakings are required to prevent the issue of becoming an obstacle in service delivery. And to stop putting professionals into a crossroads where they have to choose between being law-abiding people or professional ethics and moral principles.