physician-assisted death
Doctor-helps-patient die
Physician-assisted death is the practice of a doctor providing a terminally ill patient with the means to end their own life, typically by prescribing lethal medication.
The patient self-administers; the physician enables but does not directly cause death.
This distinguishes it from euthanasia, where the physician administers the fatal dose.
Also called physician-assisted suicide or medical aid in dying, though advocates prefer terms that avoid "suicide": The state legalized physician-assisted death for patients with less than six months to live.
- euthanasiaDeliberate death for relief
- mercy killingPainless death for suffering
- beneficenceActive desire to help
- compassionate releaseEarly discharge for dying inmates
- autonomyIndependent decision-making capacity
public opinion · legislation · dignity · hospice care · religious beliefs · slippery slope · quality of life · deontology · advance directives · living will · do not resuscitate · advocacy groups · informed consent · moral agency · family dynamics · judicial oversight · healthcare policy · utilitarianism
physician-assisted deathnatural death
Death from internal causes
accidental death · sudden death · death by misadventure · violent death
physician-assisted deathlife support
Systems maintaining vital functions
resuscitation · aggressive treatment · CPR · extraordinary measures · vitalism
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