The Plan: Ethics and Physician Assisted Suicide

Co Authors:	Doug M. Post Family Medicine The Ohio State University College of Medicine Doug.post@osumc.edu Doug Knutson Family Medicine The Ohio State University College of Medicine knutson.1@osu.edu
Abstract:	This case study on physician-assisted suicide is used in a medical ethics course. The case itself is a short article published in 1991 in the New England Journal of Medicine in which Dr. Timothy E. Quill described his care for a patient suffering from acute leukemia, including how he prescribed a lethal dose of barbiturates knowing that the woman intended to commit suicide. As a consequence of the article's publication, a grand jury was convened to consider a charge of manslaughter against Dr. Quill. Students read the case and then, as part of a classroom-simulated trial, discuss physician-assisted suicide in terms of fundamental medical ethics principals. The case could also be used in a graduate-level bioethics class.
Objectives:	Identify and discuss principles of medical ethics as they apply to the topic of physician-assisted suicide. Explore and share personal feelings related to physician-assisted suicide. Formulate an argument that supports a position on a controversial issue.
Keywords:	Doctor-assisted suicide; euthanasia; mercy killing; death and dignity; right-to-die; non-maleficence; beneficence; Hippocratic Oath; Timothy Quill; Jack Kevorkian; medical ethics; bioethics
Topical Area:	Ethics, Legal issues, Scientific argumentation, Social issues
Educational Level:	Graduate, Professional (degree program), General public & informal education, Continuing education, Faculty development
Formats:	PDF
Type/Method:	Dilemma/Decision, Role-Play, Trial
Language:	English
Subject Headings:	Medicine (General) Nursing
Date Posted:	02/02/06
Date Modified:	N/A
Copyright:	Copyright held by the National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science, University at Buffalo, State University of New York. Please see our usage guidelines, which outline our policy concerning permissible reproduction of this work.

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