scholarly journals En leges nei til dødshjelp

2020 ◽  
pp. 175-192
Author(s):  
Morten A. Horn
Keyword(s):  
General Public ◽  
Professional Ethics ◽  
Assisted Dying ◽  
Difficult Question ◽  
Important Concern

While there is broad support for assisted dying in the general public, many doctors say no – no to performing it, no to legalising it. What explains this resistance? This chapter deals with the counterarguments against assisted dying, from a professional ethics standpoint and a doctor’s outlook. I will present the eight main reasons why I as a doctor say no to euthanasia. The same reasons can be found in declarations on assisted dying from medical and specialist associations worldwide. A recurring feature is that they do not necessarily presuppose a categorical rejection of assisted dying as an isolated phenomenon, or a morally grounded rejection of the euthanasia act. The most important concern is how the doctor will be able to cope with the extremely difficult question of whether another person should be helped to die. At the same time the doctor must preserve the care of vulnerable individuals, as well as the doctor’s own role and values.

scholarly journals New Zealand medical students’ views of euthanasia/assisted dying across different year levels

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Luke Nie ◽  
Kelby Smith-Han ◽  
Ella Iosua ◽  
Simon Walker
Keyword(s):  
Medical Education ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Medical School ◽  
General Public ◽  
Public Support ◽  
Assisted Dying ◽  
Medical Work ◽  
Undergraduate Medical Students ◽  
On Line

Abstract Background Previous studies report a majority of the general public support euthanasia/assisted dying (EAD), while a majority of doctors are opposed. In considering policy decisions about EAD, some may discount the views of doctors because they take them to be based on personal values or tradition, rather than reasons that the general public might share. One way to explore this notion is to examine whether medical students’ views change during their medical education. The objective of this study was to learn how New Zealand medical students view EAD and whether students at different year levels have different views. Methods An on-line survey of undergraduate medical students was conducted asking whether they supported a law change to allow EAD. Quantitative data was analysed using unadjusted and multiple logistic regression. Thematic analysis was conducted with the qualitative data. Results A total of 326 students replied to the survey. The overall response rate was 28%. 65% of 2nd year students were supportive of EAD, compared to 39% in 5th year. The odds of 5th year students supporting a law change compared to 2nd year was 0.30 (95% CI: 0.15–0.60). The predominant themes found in the qualitative results indicate that medical students support or oppose EAD for reasons similar to those found in the wider debate, and that their views are influenced by a range of factors. However, several at all year levels cited an aspect of medical school as having influenced their views. This was mentioned by participants who were supportive of, opposed to, or unsure about EAD, but it was the type of influence most often mentioned by those who were opposed. Conclusions The quantitative findings show students at the end of 5th year were less likely to support EAD than students at the end of 2nd year. We suggest that this difference is most likely due to their time in medical education. This suggests that the lower support found among doctors is in part related to medical education and medical work rather than age, personality, or social context. The qualitative findings indicate that this is not related to a particular educational experience at Otago Medical School but a range.

scholarly journals How Does Medical Education Affect Students’ Views of Euthanasia/assisted Dying? A Mixed-method Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luke Nie ◽  
Kelby Smith-Han ◽  
Ella Iosua ◽  
Simon Walker
Keyword(s):  
Medical Education ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Medical School ◽  
Curriculum Design ◽  
General Public ◽  
Public Support ◽  
Assisted Dying ◽  
Policy Decisions ◽  
Medical Work ◽  
Undergraduate Medical Students

Abstract Background Previous studies report a majority of the general public support euthanasia/assisted dying (EAD), while a majority of doctors are opposed. In considering policy decisions about EAD, some may discount the views of doctors because they take them to be based on personal values or tradition, rather than reasons that the general public might share. One way to explore this notion is to examine whether medical students’ views change during medical education. The objective of this study was to learn how New Zealand medical students view EAD and whether their views change during medical education. MethodsAn on-line survey of undergraduate medical students was conducted. Quantitative data was analysed using unadjusted and multiple logistic regression. Thematic analysis was conducted with the qualitative data.Results A total of 326 students replied to the survey. The overall response rate was 28%. 65% of 2nd year students were supportive of EAD, compared to 39% in 5th year. The odds of 5th year students supporting a law change compared to 2nd year was 0.30 (95%CI 0.15-0.60). The predominant themes found in the qualitative results indicate that medical students support or oppose EAD for reasons similar to those found in the wider debate, and that their views are influenced by a range of factors. However, several at all year levels cited an aspect of medical school as having influenced their views. This was mentioned by participants who were supportive of, opposed to, or unsure about EAD, but it was the type of influence most often mentioned by those who were opposed. ConclusionsThe quantitative findings suggest that aspects of medical education made students less likely to support EAD. The qualitative findings indicate that this is not related to a single educational experience at Otago Medical School but a range. Together, these findings suggest that the lower support found among doctors is in part related to medical education and medical work rather than age, personality, or social context. They indicate a practical basis to ethical and professional formation that should be considered in curriculum design, policy decisions and when interpreting public opinion surveys on this issue.

Attitudes Towards Assisted Dying in Dementia: A Focus Group Study with Younger and Older Adults

2021 ◽  
pp. 003022282110632
Author(s):  
Freya Thompson ◽  
Alexandra R. Nelson ◽  
Rachel O. Coats ◽  
Judith Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
General Public ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Professional Experience ◽  
Assisted Dying ◽  
Focus Group Study ◽  
Ongoing Debate ◽  
The United Kingdom

Objectives: To explore attitudes towards assisted dying in dementia (ADID) and the rationales underlying these attitudes, among younger and older adults. Method: We conducted separate focus groups with younger ( n = 11) and older adults ( n = 14) in the United Kingdom with personal or professional experience of dementia. Discussions were prompted by two vignettes depicting scenarios of ADID. The data were transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Though sometimes stronger in the older adults, many of the attitudes and underlying rationales were common across the age groups. Analysis generated four themes: ‘Perceptions of the disease’, ‘A case for empowerment’, ‘The morality of killing’ and ‘Logistical complexities’. Conclusions: For some, ADID was a hopeful alternative to the challenges they had witnessed in dementia. For others, the logistical problems surrounding ADID were insurmountable. Discussions were informed and insightful, highlighting the importance of including the general public in this ongoing debate.

Should professional interpreters be able to conscientiously object in healthcare settings?

2019 ◽  
Vol 46 (10) ◽  
pp. 700-704
Author(s):  
Nathan Emmerich ◽  
Christine Phillips
Keyword(s):  
Professional Ethics ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Specific Problem ◽  
First Language ◽  
General Rule ◽  
Assisted Dying ◽  
Medical Practices ◽  
Healthcare Settings ◽  
The Social ◽  
Medical Consultations

In a globalised world, healthcare professionals will inevitably find themselves caring for patients whose first language differs from their own. Drawing on experiences in Australia, this paper examines a specific problem that can arise in medical consultations using professional interpreters: whether the moral objections of interpreters should be accommodated as conscientious objections if and when their services are required in contexts where healthcare professionals have such entitlements, most notably in relation to consultations concerning termination of pregnancy and voluntary assisted dying. We argue that existing statements of professional ethics suggest that interpreters should not be accorded such rights. The social organisation of healthcare and interpreting services in Australia may mean those who have serious objections to particular medical practices could provide their services in restricted healthcare contexts. Nevertheless, as a general rule, interpreters who have such objections should avoid working within healthcare.

Consumer Perspectives on the Revised Code of Professional Ethics for Rehabilitation Counselors

2001 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 5-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Hannold ◽  
Mary Ellen Young
Keyword(s):  
General Public ◽  
Professional Ethics ◽  
Rehabilitation Counseling ◽  
Rehabilitation Counselors ◽  
Counseling Service ◽  
Counseling Relationship ◽  
Best Interest ◽  
Rehabilitation Counselor ◽  
Consumer Perspectives

The Revised Code of Professional Ethics for Rehabilitation Counselors represents a milestone in consumer protections for the profession. By placing the counseling relationship at the apex of the code, CRCC has clearly indicated that the business of the rehabilitation counselor is to work in the best interest of the consumer. Consumers who are new to the systems of rehabilitation counseling service and who are not yet aware of the code may not know the significance of the code in directing the practice of rehabilitation counseling, although they most certainly will benefit from it. Informed consumers will find increased protections and a grievance system that will provide recourse for ethical complaints. The code will be most effectively used if consumers and the general public are informed of the code's purpose and content.

Spectroscopic Diagnostics of Tokamaks

1988 ◽  
Vol 102 ◽  
pp. 165-174
Author(s):  
C. de Michelis
Keyword(s):  
Transport Properties ◽  
Power Losses ◽  
Spectroscopic Diagnostics ◽  
Important Concern

AbstractImpurities being an important concern in tokamaks, spectroscopy plays a key role in their understanding. Techniques for the evaluation of concentrations, power losses and transport properties are surveyed, and a few developments are outlined.

Awareness and Decision Making in Professional Ethics

2000 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronny Swain
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Professional Ethics ◽  
Ethical Decision Making ◽  
Code Of Ethics ◽  
Professional Autonomy ◽  
Ethical Awareness ◽  
Ethical Decisions ◽  
The Right ◽  
Aid Decision

The paper describes the development of the 1998 revision of the Psychological Society of Ireland's Code of Professional Ethics. The Code incorporates the European Meta-Code of Ethics and an ethical decision-making procedure borrowed from the Canadian Psychological Association. An example using the procedure is presented. To aid decision making, a classification of different kinds of stakeholder (i.e., interested party) affected by ethical decisions is offered. The author contends (1) that psychologists should assert the right, which is an important aspect of professional autonomy, to make discretionary judgments, (2) that to be justified in doing so they need to educate themselves in sound and deliberative judgment, and (3) that the process is facilitated by a code such as the Irish one, which emphasizes ethical awareness and decision making. The need for awareness and judgment is underlined by the variability in the ethical codes of different organizations and different European states: in such a context, codes should be used as broad yardsticks, rather than precise templates.

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