Page 28 - Delaware Medical Journal - July-August 2018

AT ALL that our overall system is supplying adequate access to these services — there is a great deal of improvement necessary to diminish the perceived necessity for physician- assisted suicide.
46 I do not disagree with those who
feel that there is such a thing as a rational suicide, however I do not support the involvement of physicians in such a process. I believe that the request for physician-assisted suicide should be met with greater attention to interventions that can reduce suffering and increase the quality
of an individual’s life. That might involve recognition and treatment of depression or another mental disorder, greater attention to palliative care, or other steps. Physicians are not trained to evaluate the appropriateness
of suicide nor to participate in it, and assisted suicide should not be condoned as a medical procedure.
47 It would be interesting to see the opinions of only the “emeritus” physicians.
48 There need to be more hospice options.
49 Thank you for taking an ethical stand on this issue.
50 Unsure on questions 6 and 7, as I
am retired. Do not feel any medical professionals should be required to participate. Very hard decision for all involved to make.
51 Believe if enacted there should be clear indications, not just depression. Probably needs further research, meeting with states that already are legal to know success and ways to improve faults prior to beginning.
52 We accept some death penalties and imprisonment can be unjust but do not stop them. Well-meaning pet
owners, pet organizations and the veterinarians are willing to take the responsibility to humanely end the life of the pet; we who are in charge of patients’ welfare should organize to take this responsibility to ensure this is available as a last resort.
53 There is much in the area of improving EOL care that MSD can support and advocate for.
54 If I had a terminally ill disease and
I knew it would lead to “suffering” eventually, I would want physician aid in dying. I have discussed this with my family many times before and
one day plan to write it in my goals of care. I, as a physician, however do not feel I have the training, enough knowledge, and support from my profession to provide this for my patients if they asked. I also worry that without regulation, the patient- physician line could get blurred.
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— but in the appropriate case,
with a good understanding of the consequences to the patient and family, offering this option can be more humane than the other methods of dealing with a known fatal situation.
57 Physician-assisted suicide is inconsistent with [the physician’s] role. There is, however, an interface between end-of-life comfort care. The difference is the intent to relieve pain and the impact that pain relief may have on respiratory function. Physician-assisted suicide in and of itself should not be a goal.
58 We should ensure adequate palliative care before embarking on this discussion. Further, physicians should have no part in ending patients’ lives.
59 Much of the medical establishment (e.g., AMA), including MSD leadership, is out of touch with practicing physicians. The survey was somewhat biased with promotion of the MSD position paper. Rather than relying on a paternalistic approach, physicians should support patient autonomy with education and support for both palliative care and options
for medical aid in dying (MAID). The fact that 38% of physicians support legalization and 23%
would provide a prescription for a controversial policy not supported by MSD is impressive and should not be ignored. If one considers
such a small sample and looks at those who are unsure (maybe due to peer pressure?), the survey would be a wash. With further education, it appears clear that MAID will become an accepted practice.
60 favor this bill. Their views should be considered. MSD is not speaking for a lot of physicians. Neutrality might.
61 I am sorry that I did not participate agree with the MSD position on this issue. If a patient has the desire to undergo physician-assisted suicide, they should be able to.
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I ask all patients and physicians to remember how they would want to be treated or refused treatment, i.e. food and liquids, in a situation where their quality of life is unbearable. Dementia, neurologic diseases with hopeless lifestyles and nursing home-bound patients who desire life-ending help. We all talk about how we would
not want life-preserving care in hopeless situations. These decisions should be documented and then
a comfortable plan of care can be carried out. Many of us have our own fail-safe plans in place just in case. We need an open community discussion to re-examine this issue.
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Del Med J | July/August 2018 | Vol. 90 | No. 6