Ethical Principles Of Physician Assisted Suicide

Physician-assisted Suicide and Ethical Principles

The responsibility a physician has to his patients and society is established by medical ethics and is at a greater degree than the law (Sulmasy & Mueller, 2017). The ethical principles, beneficence, autonomy, nonmaleficence, and promotion of fairness and social justice, are the basis for a physician’s duties to his patients. He is a member of a profession with ethical obligations; he is not just a service provider, but a moral advocate. Both medical ethics and the law support the patient’s right to refuse therapy. The purpose is to withdraw care that the patient considers to be conflicting with his wishes. For many patients, the sense of control over their timing and process of death brings relief (Sulmasy & Mueller, 2017).

Autonomy

Autonomy, an individual’s right to self-determination, is

When discussed in health care, it is expected the decisions should be decided by those most influenced, whether it be the patient, family or community (Walker, 2015). Many psychologists would acknowledge an individual’s sense of autonomy can have a powerful impact on his mental health. Increasing the patient’s perception of control and decision-making is a healing tool that is used to decrease psychological anxiety. Autonomy is one of the essential arguments used to support the legalization of physician-assisted suicide (PAS) (Westefeld et al., 2012). Ethical debates in support of PAS emphasize the sense of respect for the patient’s autonomy and the understanding of the physician’s responsibility to relieve the patient’s suffering. It is viewed an act of compassion