Physician-assisted suicide occurs when a physician facilitates a patient's
death by providing the necessary means and/or information to enable the
patient to perform the life-ending act (eg, the physician provides sleeping
pills and information about the lethal dose, while aware that the patient
may commit suicide).
It is understandable, though tragic, that some patients in extreme
duress—such as those suffering from a terminal, painful, debilitating
illness—may come to decide that death is preferable to life. However,
allowing physicians to participate in assisted suicide would cause more harm
than good. Physician-assisted suicide is fundamentally incompatible with the
physician's role as healer, would be difficult or impossible to control, and
would pose serious societal risks.
Instead of participating in assisted suicide, physicians must aggressively
respond to the needs of patients at the end of life. Patients should not be
abandoned once it is determined that cure is impossible. Multidisciplinary
interventions should be sought including specialty consultation, hospice
care, pastoral support, family counseling, and other modalities. Patients
near the end of life must continue to receive emotional support, comfort
care, adequate pain control, respect for patient autonomy, and good
communication. (I, IV)
Issued June 1994 based on the reports "Decisions Near the End of Life,"
adopted June 1991, and "Physician-Assisted Suicide," adopted December 1993
(JAMA. 1992; 267: 2229-33); Updated June 1996.
Last updated: Aug 22, 2005
Content provided by: AMA; Ethics
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