Banović, B., Turanjanin, V., & Miloradović, A. (2017). An ethical review of euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide. Iranian Journal of Public Health, 46(2), 173–179.Â
This study focuses on the moral and ethical consequences of euthanasia application in a medical setting, utilizing survey data from professional physicians. The authors evaluate both theoretical and practical approaches to voluntary euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide (PAS), incorporating the feedback from clinical workers and their perspectives on these activities. According to the results received, Banovic et al. argue that patient autonomy can be considered the most prominent element of the euthanasia debate, which requires physicians to honor patients’ requests. Therefore, this research will aid me in the evaluation of the ethical advantages of euthanasia and PAS, as well as in the specification of the autonomy principle and its value for medical professionals.
Cheung, G., Douwes, G., & Sundram, F. (2017). Late-life suicide in terminal cancer: A rational act or underdiagnosed depression? Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 54(6), 835–842. Web.Â
The present investigation addresses a well-recognized consideration related to the increase of the rate of depression manifestations in terminal patients, examining individuals diagnosed with inoperable cancer. An experimental intervention compared older people who chose to die by suicide and who did not use this option, revealing that prolonged death is associated with higher risks of depression and decreased quality of life. Moreover, the reasoning behind the participants’ decisions was found to be primarily unimpaired, in contrast with choices influenced by depressive symptoms. Considering this evidence, I will present this study as a valuable counterargument to the suggestion that euthanasia and PAS adhere to the depressive tendencies of terminal patients rather than implementing necessary treatment.
Emanuel, E. J., Onwuteaka-Philipsen, B. D., Urwin, J. W., & Cohen, J. (2016). Attitudes and practices of euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide in the United States, Canada, and Europe. JAMA, 316(1), 79. Web.
This summary provides essential data regarding the application of euthanasia and PAS practices in various countries, exploring the distinctions between the most popular approaches. By examining the current legal and medical procedures, the authors establish that tendency toward euthanasia legalization is becoming more positive. Furthermore, potential positive and negative ramifications of euthanasia and PAS procedures are also outlined in this article, presenting a comprehensive account of various possible outcomes. Thus, I will utilize this research to clarify the definitions of primary euthanasia practices and concerns related to performing them, as well as to support the argument that their implication bears a considerably small risk.
Francke, A. L., Albers, G., Bilsen, J., de Veer, A. J. E., & Onwuteaka-Philipsen, B. D. (2016). Nursing staff and euthanasia in the Netherlands. A nationwide survey on attitudes and involvement in decision making and the performance of euthanasia. Patient Education and Counseling, 99(5), 783–789. Web.
The present research highlights the nursing staff’s attitudes towards euthanasia and PAS, evaluating the impact of the euthanasia decision-making process on the nursing personnel. According to the secured findings, although this choice is a significant burden for the medical workers, the majority of the nursing staff prefer to be involved in the discussion and assist the patients with preparation. In addition, nurses state that they support the administration of euthanasia and PAS to terminally ill patients, viewing it as a promising solution for the patient suffering to be performed by the medical staff. I can utilize these results to argue that euthanasia practices are considered beneficial by the clinical personnel, as well as a counterargument to the proposition that medical workers are always gruesomely affected by these procedures.
Goligher, E. C., Ely, E. W., Sulmasy, D. P., Bakker, J., Raphael, J., Volandes, A. E., Patel, B. M., Payne, K., Hosie, A., Churchill, L., White, D. B., & Downar, J. (2017). Physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia in the Intensive Care Unit: A dialogue on core ethical issues. Critical Care Medicine, 45(2), 149–155. Web.
A prospective review on the practices of euthanasia and their impact on terminal patients was presented by Goligher et al., who explore the implementation of euthanasia and PAS in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The scholars carefully identify the primary ethical and medical considerations related to these activities, outlining the reasoning behind intentional euthanasia, namely alleviation of suffering, compliance with patient autonomy, and logical argumentation of the client’s desire. I will refer to this article to support the claim that euthanasia and PAS procedures decrease the possibility of inflicting further harm to terminally ill individuals, allowing them to avoid subsequent tormenting conditions. In addition, I will discuss some of the counterarguments offered by this source, identifying their validity according to the incorporated materials and offering efficient solutions.
Miller, D. G., Dresser, R., & Kim, S. Y. H. (2019). Advance euthanasia directives: A controversial case and its ethical implications. Journal of Medical Ethics, 45(2), 84–89. Web.
This investigation utilizes a controversial euthanasia case to evaluate the primary concerns regarding this practice and suggest potential resolutions. While focusing on a specific event, the authors use a variety of academic literature to support their propositions and explain how the application of euthanasia can be advantageous from a philosophical, ethical, and medical perspective. In this regard, I will incorporate this article to claim that implementing euthanasia can alleviate multiple negative consequences for terminally ill patients, promoting the value of patient autonomy. Moreover, this research supports my argument that prolonged death can negatively impact dying individuals suffering from severe mental disorders, contributing to the development of gruesome complications.
Nielsen, M. K., Neergaard, M. A., Jensen, A. B., Vedsted, P., Bro, F., & Guldin, M.-B. (2017). Predictors of complicated grief and depression in bereaved caregivers: A Nationwide prospective cohort study. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 53(3), 540–550. Web.
The article aims to ascertain the primary effects of euthanasia and PAS procedures on the patients’ caregivers, such as close relatives, spouses, and other intimate relations. According to the evidence attained, complicated grief and post-loss depressive symptoms occur less often than frequently suggested, decreasing gradually after the ill individual’s passing. It is noteworthy that manifestations of extreme psychological suffering are more evident during caregiving than after the loss, implying that prolonged death might have a more detrimental impact on the patient’s close connections. Therefore, I will incorporate this study as a strong counterargument to the claim that euthanasia and PAS procedures detrimentally influence the caregivers in the long term and argue that prolonged death has increased negative ramifications.
Sulmasy, D. P., Travaline, J. M., Mitchell, L. A., & Ely, E. W. (2016). Non-faith-based arguments against physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia. The Linacre Quarterly, 83(3), 246–257. Web.
The present investigation describes the most compelling justifications regarding the negative consequences of euthanasia, addressing the debate about its implementation. The scholars discuss four non-religious arguments affirming that euthanasia and PAS should remain prohibited due to their impact on the value of human life and physician integrity. I intend to use this source as evidence of the disadvantages of euthanasia which will be assessed using the data on the benefits of such practices. By addressing the reasoning of Sulmasy et al., I will assess the pertinent euthanasia counterclaims and prove their limitations, clarifying the necessity to uphold PAS procedures.
Reflection
This annotated bibliography shortly summarizes the main points and findings of seven academic articles, establishing their value for the project. Each paragraph following the bibliographical information first evaluates the aims and results of the relevant source, highlighting the issues examined and establishing the authors’ viewpoint. After that, I state how the data derived from the article will be used to support my claims or refute pertinent counterarguments, specifying the future use of the reference.
When exploring available materials, I primarily focused on exploring credible scholarly databases useful for identifying academic findings, namely Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and ProQuest. Additionally, I always evaluated whether the reference was peer-reviewed, published by an academic institution, and cited by other scholars. Furthermore, it was especially helpful to examine if the presented data was supported by referencing other articles and perspectives on the topic. Nevertheless, I still encountered such difficulties as paid access to information, questionable quality of writing, and unclear presentation of facts. Concerning the paid access, I attempted to find other resources that provided full access or continued the search to obtain similar materials. As for the writing and presentation, if other attributes of the source were also below the needed level, I focused on locating other resources that addressed a corresponding theme.
References
Banović, B., Turanjanin, V., & Miloradović, A. (2017). An ethical review of euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide. Iranian Journal of Public Health, 46(2), 173–179.
Cheung, G., Douwes, G., & Sundram, F. (2017). Late-life suicide in terminal cancer: A rational act or underdiagnosed depression? Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 54(6), 835–842. Web.
Emanuel, E. J., Onwuteaka-Philipsen, B. D., Urwin, J. W., & Cohen, J. (2016). Attitudes and practices of euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide in the United States, Canada, and Europe. JAMA, 316(1), 79. Web.
Francke, A. L., Albers, G., Bilsen, J., de Veer, A. J. E., & Onwuteaka-Philipsen, B. D. (2016). Nursing staff and euthanasia in the Netherlands. A nationwide survey on attitudes and involvement in decision making and the performance of euthanasia. Patient Education and Counseling, 99(5), 783–789. Web.
Goligher, E. C., Ely, E. W., Sulmasy, D. P., Bakker, J., Raphael, J., Volandes, A. E., Patel, B. M., Payne, K., Hosie, A., Churchill, L., White, D. B., & Downar, J. (2017). Physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia in the Intensive Care Unit: A dialogue on core ethical issues. Critical Care Medicine, 45(2), 149–155. Web.
Miller, D. G., Dresser, R., & Kim, S. Y. H. (2019). Advance euthanasia directives: A controversial case and its ethical implications. Journal of Medical Ethics, 45(2), 84–89. Web.
Nielsen, M. K., Neergaard, M. A., Jensen, A. B., Vedsted, P., Bro, F., & Guldin, M.-B. (2017). Predictors of complicated grief and depression in bereaved caregivers: A Nationwide prospective cohort study. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 53(3), 540–550. Web.
Sulmasy, D. P., Travaline, J. M., Mitchell, L. A., & Ely, E. W. (2016). Non-faith-based arguments against physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia. The Linacre Quarterly, 83(3), 246–257. Web.