Week 4 – Assignment: Assess Death with Dignity Laws
This week, you looked at the provider and patient rights. The assignment this week gives you a chance to look at a state law that provides the right for patients to die with dignity and compare the patient’s right with the ethical duty of physicians set forth in the AMA’s Code of Ethics.
You will write an essay that compares and contrasts the law and Code of Ethics as it applies to your state. Incorporate the following into your essay:
1. Referring directly to the law, provide verbiage for what a provider is or is not allowed to do.
2. What requirements must be present for a patient asking for death-hastening medication?
3. Describe what the AMA’s Code of Ethic’s stance is on these procedures, including any additional opinions published by the AMA.
4. Explain the challenging ethical decision-making process a provider must go through in this case.
5. How might this situation be resolved for a legal and ethical resolution?
Length: 3-4 pages, not including title page
References: The AMA Code Ethics.
To write an effective essay on assessing Death with Dignity laws, you will need to thoroughly analyze both your state’s specific legislation regarding physician-assisted dying (if your state has such laws) and the American Medical Association (AMA) Code of Ethics stance on these practices. Below is a guide to help you structure your essay and cover all the necessary points:
### 1. Introduction
– **Purpose**: Introduce the topic of Death with Dignity laws and explain why it’s a significant issue in medical ethics and patient rights.
– **Thesis Statement**: Clearly state your intention to compare and contrast your state’s law with the AMA’s Code of Ethics.
### 2. Overview of Your State’s Death with Dignity Law
**Referring Directly to the Law**:
– **Verbiage**: Provide specific language from your state’s law about what providers are permitted or prohibited from doing concerning physician-assisted dying. For instance, if you are in Oregon, you might refer to the “Oregon Death with Dignity Act,” which allows terminally ill patients to request a prescription for lethal medication from a physician.
– **Key Provisions**: Discuss any relevant sections that outline the roles, responsibilities, and limitations for healthcare providers. Include whether the provider can refuse to participate and any legal protections offered to them.
**Patient Requirements**:
– **Eligibility Criteria**: Detail the requirements a patient must meet to qualify for physician-assisted dying under your state’s law. This often includes being a legal adult, being a resident of the state, being diagnosed with a terminal illness with a prognosis of six months or less to live, and being mentally competent to make the decision.
– **Procedure**: Outline the procedural steps the patient must go through, such as multiple requests, waiting periods, and psychiatric evaluations to ensure the patient is making an informed and voluntary decision.
### 3. AMA’s Code of Ethics on Physician-Assisted Dying
– **Official Stance**: Summarize the AMA’s official stance on physician-assisted dying as per their Code of Ethics. Typically, the AMA opposes physician-assisted dying, arguing that it is incompatible with the physician’s role as a healer, could be difficult to control, and poses societal risks.
– **Relevant Ethical Principles**: Highlight any ethical principles from the AMA that apply, such as respect for patient autonomy, non-maleficence (do no harm), and the physician’s role in alleviating suffering.
– **Additional Opinions**: Include any other opinions or reports the AMA has published on this topic, noting any changes or debates within the organization.
### 4. Ethical Decision-Making for Providers
**Challenges**:
– **Ethical Dilemmas**: Discuss the ethical challenges a physician faces when a patient requests assistance in dying. These may include balancing the patient’s autonomy and wishes against the ethical duty to do no harm and the societal implications of such actions.
– **Personal vs. Professional Ethics**: Describe how a physician’s personal beliefs might conflict with professional responsibilities and ethical standards, potentially complicating their decision-making process.
### 5. Resolution Strategies
– **Legal and Ethical Resolution**: Propose ways in which healthcare providers might resolve these conflicts, ensuring compliance with both the law and the AMA’s Code of Ethics. This might involve referring patients to another provider, seeking guidance from an ethics committee, or engaging in open discussions with patients about their wishes and the implications.
– **Interdisciplinary Approach**: Suggest an interdisciplinary approach that includes ethical consultation, mental health support, and palliative care options to support the patient’s needs and the provider’s ethical obligations.
### 6. Conclusion
– **Summary**: Recap the key points discussed in your essay.
– **Final Thoughts**: Offer a final perspective on how Death with Dignity laws and the AMA Code of Ethics can coexist, and what this means for future ethical practices in healthcare.
### References
– Ensure you cite the AMA Code of Ethics and your state’s specific law on Death with Dignity. Use a consistent citation style as required by your assignment guidelines.
### Formatting Tips
– **Length**: Aim for 3-4 pages, not including the title page.
– **Style**: Follow any specific formatting guidelines provided by your instructor, such as APA or MLA.
– **Clarity and Cohesion**: Make sure your essay flows logically, with clear transitions between sections.
### Final Steps
– **Proofreading**: Carefully proofread your essay for grammar, spelling, and formatting errors.
– **Feedback**: If possible, have someone else read your essay to provide feedback on clarity and argument strength.
By following this structure, you can comprehensively assess Death with Dignity laws in relation to the AMA’s Code of Ethics and provide a nuanced discussion of the ethical and legal challenges faced by healthcare providers.
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