Perspectives on physician-assisted suicide in mental healthcare: results of a survey of physicians and medical students.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Physician-assisted suicide (PAS) is typically associated with serious physical illnesses that are prevalent in palliative care. However, individuals with mental illnesses may also experience such severity that life becomes intolerable. In February 2020, the previous German law prohibiting PAS was repealed. Patients with severe mental illnesses are increasingly likely to approach physicians with requests for PAS.

Aims

To explore the ethical and moral perspectives of medical students and physicians when making individual decisions regarding PAS.

Method

An anonymised digital survey was conducted among medical students and physicians in Germany. Participants were presented with a case vignette of a chronically depressed patient requesting PAS. Participants deci

SUBMITTER: Reichel R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11698214 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature