scholarly journals Physicians, Assisted Suicide, and Christian Virtues

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 50-68
Author(s):  
Philip A Reed
Keyword(s):  
Assisted Suicide ◽  
Patient Relationship ◽  
Physician Assisted Suicide ◽  
Doctor Patient Relationship ◽  
Goals Of Medicine ◽  
Assist Suicide

Abstract The debate about physician-assisted suicide has long been entwined with the nature of the doctor–patient relationship. Opponents of physician-assisted suicide insist that the traditional goals of medicine do not and should not include intentionally bringing about or hastening a patient’s death, whereas proponents of physician-assisted suicide argue that this practice is an appropriate tool for doctors to relieve a patient’s suffering. In this article, I discuss these issues in light of the relevance of a Christian account of the doctor–patient relationship. I argue that Christians typically object to assist suicide independently of the doctor–patient relationship. I argue that a focus on the Christian virtues of charity, compassion, and humility helps to explain why doctors should not assist their patients in suicide.

scholarly journals The Doctor–Patient Relationship: Does Christianity Make a Difference?

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
James J Delaney
Keyword(s):  
Assisted Suicide ◽  
Clinical Encounter ◽  
Patient Relationship ◽  
Physician Assisted Suicide ◽  
Doctor Patient Relationship ◽  
Moral Tradition ◽  
Practice Of Medicine ◽  
Christian Understanding ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Perinatal Hospice

Abstract The nature of the doctor–patient relationship is central to the practice of medicine and thus to bioethics. The American Medical Association (in AMA principles of medical ethics, available at: https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/ethics/patient-physician-relationships, 2016) states, “The practice of medicine, and its embodiment in the clinical encounter between a patient and a physician, is fundamentally a moral activity that arises from the imperative to care for patients and to alleviate suffering.” In this issue of Christian Bioethics, leading scholars consider what relevance (if any) Christianity brings to the relationship between physician and patient: does Christianity make a difference? The contributors consider this question from several different perspectives: the proper model of medicine, the role that the Christian moral tradition can play in medicine in a secular pluralistic society, how a Christian understanding of virtue can inform practices such as perinatal hospice and physician-assisted suicide, and whether or not appeals to Christian values can (or should) ground a physician’s right to conscientious objection.

Bioethics

2019 ◽  
pp. 123-149
Author(s):  
Hilde Lindemann
Keyword(s):  
Assisted Suicide ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Patient Relationship ◽  
Physician Assisted Suicide ◽  
Doctor Patient Relationship ◽  
Healthcare Resources ◽  
Definition Of

The chapter begins with a definition of bioethics and explains why it is so important. This is followed by an overview of the standard, nonfeminist ways of doing bioethics and why they are unsatisfactory from a feminist point of view. Feminist analyses of four topics in bioethics are offered that demonstrate the usefulness of a feminist approach to bioethics: the doctor-patient relationship, physician-assisted suicide, abortion, and allocation of healthcare resources.

Two Competing Conceptions of Human Dignity

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luke Gormally
Keyword(s):  
Human Nature ◽  
Interpersonal Relationships ◽  
Human Dignity ◽  
Assisted Suicide ◽  
Medical Professionals ◽  
Worth Living ◽  
Patient Relationship ◽  
Doctor Patient Relationship

The doctor–patient relationship that is at issue in assisted suicide should be governed by norms of justice, expressed in rights and obligations. An autonomy-based understanding of dignity provides no basis for just regulation of interpersonal relationships and in particular grounds no right to assistance in suicide. An understanding of dignity as intrinsic to human nature does provide a basis for the doctor–patient relationship, as for all interpersonal relationships, and one that is incompatible with accommodating in law the judgment that characteristically underpins requests for assistance in suicide and that purports to justify such assistance, namely the patient’s judgment that his or her life is no longer worth living. The continued prohibition of assistance in intentional killing is one that serves both to protect citizens, including patients, and to preserve the integrity of medical professionals as healers and servants of life.

The internet—A useful communication tool but no replacement for the doctor-patient relationship

2001 ◽  
Vol 120 (5) ◽  
pp. A735-A735
Author(s):  
C STREETS ◽  
J PETERS ◽  
D BRUCE ◽  
P TSAI ◽  
N BALAJI ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
The Internet ◽  
Patient Relationship ◽  
Communication Tool ◽  
Doctor Patient Relationship

Euthanasia and Related Practices Worldwide

Crisis ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 109-115 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael J Kelleher † ◽  
Derek Chambers ◽  
Paul Corcoran ◽  
Helen S Keeley ◽  
Eileen Williamson
Keyword(s):  
Assisted Suicide ◽  
International Association ◽  
Active Euthanasia ◽  
Physician Assisted Suicide ◽  
Passive Euthanasia ◽  
Medical Practitioners ◽  
General Acceptance ◽  
International Importance ◽  
Controversial Area ◽  
Active And Passive Euthanasia

The present paper examines the occurrence of matters relating to the ending of life, including active euthanasia, which is, technically speaking, illegal worldwide. Interest in this most controversial area is drawn from many varied sources, from legal and medical practitioners to religious and moral ethicists. In some countries, public interest has been mobilized into organizations that attempt to influence legislation relating to euthanasia. Despite the obvious international importance of euthanasia, very little is known about the extent of its practice, whether passive or active, voluntary or involuntary. This examination is based on questionnaires completed by 49 national representatives of the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP), dealing with legal and religious aspects of euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide, as well as suicide. A dichotomy between the law and medical practices relating to the end of life was uncovered by the results of the survey. In 12 of the 49 countries active euthanasia is said to occur while a general acceptance of passive euthanasia was reported to be widespread. Clearly, definition is crucial in making the distinction between active and passive euthanasia; otherwise, the entire concept may become distorted, and legal acceptance may become more widespread with the effect of broadening the category of individuals to whom euthanasia becomes an available option. The “slippery slope” argument is briefly considered.

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