Physician-Assisted Suicide: Reflections on Oregon's First Case

Issues in Law and Medicine

Volumn 14, Issue 3, 1998, Pages 243-269

  Hendin, Herbert ^a   Foley, Kathleen ^a   White, Margot ^a  

^a NONE

Author keywords

[No Author keywords available]

Indexed keywords

ARTICLE; ASSISTED SUICIDE; COMPASSION IN DYING; CONFIDENTIALITY; DEATH AND EUTHANASIA; DEATH WITH DIGNITY ACT (OREGON); GOVERNMENT REGULATION; HUMAN; INFORMATION DISSEMINATION; INFORMATION PROCESSING; INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION; LEGAL APPROACH; LEGAL ASPECT; LEGAL LIABILITY; MALPRACTICE; MEDICAL RECORD; OREGON HEALTH DIVISION; PATIENT ADVOCACY; SOCIAL BEHAVIOR; TASK FORCE TO IMPROVE THE CARE OF TERMINALLY-ILL OREGONIANS; THE OREGON DEATH WITH DIGNITY ACT: A GUIDEBOOK FOR HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS (HALEY, K.; LEE, M., EDS.); UNCERTAINTY; UNITED STATES;

COMPASSION IN DYING; DEATH AND EUTHANASIA; DEATH WITH DIGNITY ACT (OREGON); LEGAL APPROACH; OREGON HEALTH DIVISION; TASK FORCE TO IMPROVE THE CARE OF TERMINALLY-ILL OREGONIANS; THE OREGON DEATH WITH DIGNITY ACT: A GUIDEBOOK FOR HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS (HALEY, K.; LEE, M., EDS.);

CONFIDENTIALITY; DISCLOSURE; FORMS AND RECORDS CONTROL; GOVERNMENT REGULATION; HUMANS; INFORMATION DISSEMINATION; LIABILITY, LEGAL; MALPRACTICE; MEDICAL RECORDS; OREGON; PATIENT ADVOCACY; RECORDS; SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY; SUICIDE, ASSISTED; UNCERTAINTY;

EID: 0345829391     PISSN: 87568160     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: None     Document Type: Article

References (138)

1. The Oregon Death With Dignity Act, OR. REV. STAT. § 127.800-127.897 (1997), reprinted in 14 ISSUES IN LAW & MED. 325 (1998).
2. THE TASK FORCE TO IMPROVE THE CARE OF TERMINALLY-ILL OREGONIANS, THE OREGON DEATH WITH DIGNITY ACT: A GUIDEBOOK FOR HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS 4 (Kathleen Haley & Melinda Lee eds., 1998) [hereinafter GUIDEBOOK].
3. E. Hoover & Gail K. Hill, Two Die Using Suicide Law, OREGONIAN, Mar. 26, 1998, at A01; Diane M. Gianelli, Praise, Criticism Follow Oregon's First Reported Assisted Suicides, AM. MED. NEWS, Apr. 13, 1998, at 1.
4. E. Hoover & Gail K. Hill, Two Die Using Suicide Law, OREGONIAN, Mar. 26, 1998, at A01; Diane M. Gianelli, Praise, Criticism Follow Oregon's First Reported Assisted Suicides, AM. MED. NEWS, Apr. 13, 1998, at 1.
5. Gianelli, supra note 3.
6. See id.
7. See id.
8. See id.
9. See id.
10. Hoover & Hill, supra note 3.
11. See id.
12. Gianelli, supra note 3.
13. See id.
14. See id.
15. See id.
16. Id. at 39.
17. See id.
18. See id.
19. See id.
20. Id.
21. Erin Hoover, 2 Deaths Add New Angle to Debate, OREGONIAN, Mar. 27, 1998, at A01.
22. Id.
23. Id.
24. See id.
25. See id.
26. Personal communications to Kathleen Foley from Barbara Coombs Lee, Director, Compassion in Dying Federation.
27. See Hoover, supra note 20.
28. See Hoover & Hill, supra note 3.
29. William Claiborne, In Oregon, Suicide Option Brings a Kinder Care, WASH. POST, Apr. 29, 1998, at A01.
30. Hoover, supra note 20, at A18.
31. See Hoover & Hill, supra note 3.
32. Lisa Belkin, There's No Simple Suicide, N.Y. TIMES, Nov. 14, 1993 (Magazine). See also KNMG (ROYAL DUTCH MEDICAL ASSOCIATION) GUIDELINES ON ASSISTED SUICIDE AND EUTHANASIA 1995 [hereinafter KNMG]; Herbert Hendin, Selling Death and Dignity, HASTINGS CENTER REP., May-June 1995, at 19.
33. Lisa Belkin, There's No Simple Suicide, N.Y. TIMES, Nov. 14, 1993 (Magazine). See also KNMG (ROYAL DUTCH MEDICAL ASSOCIATION) GUIDELINES ON ASSISTED SUICIDE AND EUTHANASIA 1995 [hereinafter KNMG]; Herbert Hendin, Selling Death and Dignity, HASTINGS CENTER REP., May-June 1995, at 19.
34. Lisa Belkin, There's No Simple Suicide, N.Y. TIMES, Nov. 14, 1993 (Magazine). See also KNMG (ROYAL DUTCH MEDICAL ASSOCIATION) GUIDELINES ON ASSISTED SUICIDE AND EUTHANASIA 1995 [hereinafter KNMG]; Herbert Hendin, Selling Death and Dignity, HASTINGS CENTER REP., May-June 1995, at 19.
35. OR. REV. STAT. § 127.800, 1.01 (1997).
36. OR. REV. STAT. § 127.815, 3.01 & § 127.850, 3.08 (1997).
37. OR. REV. STAT. § 127.820, 3.02 (1997).
38. OR. REV. STAT. § 127.825, 3.03 (1997).
39. OR. REV. STAT. § 127.855, 4.01 (1997).
40. See KNMG, supra note 31.
41. P.R. Muskin, The Request to Die: Role for a Psychodynamic Perspective on Physician-Assisted Suicide, 279 JAMA 323 (1998).
42. See supra text accompanying note 20.
43. GUIDEBOOK, supra note 2, at 5, 21.
44. OR. REV. STAT. § 127.815, 3.01 (1997).
45. See supra text accompanying note 29.
46. Kathleen M. Foley, Competent Care for the Dying Instead of Physician-Assisted Suicide, 336 NEW ENG. J. MED. 54, 55 (1997).
47. T. Patrick Hill, Treating the Dying Patient. The Challenge For Medical Education, 155 ARCHIVES INTERNAL MED. 1265 (1995).
48. See id.
49. See Foley, supra note 43, at 56.
50. See id.
51. GUIDEBOOK, supra note 2, at 22.
52. HERBERT HENDIN, SEDUCED BY DEATH: DOCTORS, PATIENTS, AND THE DUTCH CURE (1997).
53. Marlise Simon, Dutch Doctors to Tighten Rules on Mercy Killings, N.Y. TIMES, Sept. 11, 1995, at A3.
54. See GUIDEBOOK, supra note 2, at 22.
55. Charles H. Baron et al., A Model State Act to Authorize and Regulate Physician-Assisted Suicide, 33 HARV. J. ON LEGIS. 1 (1996), reprinted in 13 ISSUES IN LAW & MED. 219 (1997).
56. Charles H. Baron et al., A Model State Act to Authorize and Regulate Physician-Assisted Suicide, 33 HARV. J. ON LEGIS. 1 (1996), reprinted in 13 ISSUES IN LAW & MED. 219 (1997).
57. See GUIDEBOOK, supra note 2, at 31.
58. OR. REV. STAT. § 127.825, 3.03 (1997).
59. Herbert Hendin & Gerald Klerman, Physician-Assisted Suicide: The Dangers of Legalization, 150 AM. J. PSYCHIATRY 143, 144 (1993).
60. George E. Murphy, The Physician's Responsibility for Suicide: (1) An Error of Commission and (2) Errors of Omission, 82 ANNALS INTERNAL MED. 301 (1975).
61. Harvey M. Chochinov et al., Desire for Death in the Terminally Ill, 152 AM. J. PSYCHIATRY 1185 (1995); Ezekiel J. Emanuel et al., Euthanasia and Physician-Assisted Suicide: Attitudes and Experiences of Oncology Patients, Oncologists, and the Public, 347 LANCET 1805 (1996).
62. Harvey M. Chochinov et al., Desire for Death in the Terminally Ill, 152 AM. J. PSYCHIATRY 1185 (1995); Ezekiel J. Emanuel et al., Euthanasia and Physician-Assisted Suicide: Attitudes and Experiences of Oncology Patients, Oncologists, and the Public, 347 LANCET 1805 (1996).
63. See Chochinov, supra note 57, at 1190; see also Emanuel, supra note 57, at 1809.
64. See Chochinov, supra note 57; see Emanuel, supra note 57.
65. E. Robins et al., Some Clinical Considerations in the Prevention of Suicide Based on a Study of 134 Successful Suicides, 49 AM. J. PUB. HEALTH 888 (1959); see generally B.M. Barraclough et al., A Hundred Cases of Suicide: Clinical Aspects, 125 BRIT. J. PSYCHIATRY 355 (1974).
66. E. Robins et al., Some Clinical Considerations in the Prevention of Suicide Based on a Study of 134 Successful Suicides, 49 AM. J. PUB. HEALTH 888 (1959); see generally B.M. Barraclough et al., A Hundred Cases of Suicide: Clinical Aspects, 125 BRIT. J. PSYCHIATRY 355 (1974).
67. Harvey M. Chochinov et al., Depression, Hopelessness, and Suicidal Ideation in the Terminally Ill, 39 PSYCHOSOMATlCS 366 (1998).
68. Herbert Hendin, Suicide and the Request for Assisted Suicide, 35 DUQUESNE L. REV. 285, 290 (1995)
69. Herbert Hendin, Suicide, Assisted Suicide, and Euthanasia, in HARVARD MEDICAL GUIDE TO SUICIDE ASSESSMENT AND INTERVENTION (D. Jacobs, ed. 1998).
70. Emanuel et al., supra note 57.
71. Herbert Hendin, supra note 31.
72. Ellen Moscowitz, Difficulties Involved in Identifying the Legal Incapacity to Consent to Physician-Assisted Suicide, 19 AM. J. FORENSIC PSYCHIATRY 121 (1998).
73. Linda Ganzini et al., Attitudes of Oregon Psychiatrists Toward Physician-Assisted Suicide, 153 AM. J. PSYCHIATRY 1469 (1996).
74. See supra text accompanying note 18.
75. See Ganzini, supra note 67, at 1473.
76. See id.
77. See id. at 1474.
78. Johanna H. Groenewoud et al., Physician-Assisted Death in Psychiatric Practice in the Netherlands, 336 NEW ENG. J. MED. 1795 (1997).
79. OR. REV. STAT. § 127.890, 4.02 (1997).
80. OR. REV. STAT. § 127.810, 2.02 (1997).
81. See id.
82. Id.
83. Daniel Callahan & Margot White, The Legalization of Physician-Assisted Suicide: Creating a Regulatory Potemkin Village, 30 U. RICH. L. REV. 1, 52-55 (1996).
84. OR. REV. STAT. § 127.850, 3.08 (1997).
85. Franklin G. Miller et al., Can Physician-Assisted Suicide Be Regulated Effectively? 24 J. L. MED. & ETHICS 225 (1996).
86. P. J. VAN DER MAAS ET AL., EUTHANASIA AND OTHER MEDICAL DECISIONS CONCERNING THE END OF LIFE (1992); Herbert Hendin et al., Physician-Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia in the Netherlands: Lessons From the Dutch, 277 JAMA 1720, 1721 (1997).
87. P. J. VAN DER MAAS ET AL., EUTHANASIA AND OTHER MEDICAL DECISIONS CONCERNING THE END OF LIFE (1992); Herbert Hendin et al., Physician-Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia in the Netherlands: Lessons From the Dutch, 277 JAMA 1720, 1721 (1997).
88. See GUIDEBOOK, supra note 2, at 7.
89. See Hoover, supra note 20.
90. OR. REV. STAT. § 127.835, 3.05 (1997).
91. See id.
92. Mark D. Reed & Jason Y. Greenwald, Survivor-Victim Status, Attachment, and Sudden Death Bereavement, 21 SUICIDE & LIFE-THREATENING BEHAV. 385 (1991); Norman L. Farberow et al., Changes in Grief and Mental Health of Bereaved Spouses of Older Suicides, 47 J. GERONTOLOGY P 357 (1992).
93. Mark D. Reed & Jason Y. Greenwald, Survivor-Victim Status, Attachment, and Sudden Death Bereavement, 21 SUICIDE & LIFE-THREATENING BEHAV. 385 (1991); Norman L. Farberow et al., Changes in Grief and Mental Health of Bereaved Spouses of Older Suicides, 47 J. GERONTOLOGY P 357 (1992).
94. See generally Marcia Angell, Euthanasia in the Netherlands: Good News or Bad? 335 NEW ENG. J. MED. 1676 (1996).
95. OR. REV. STAT. § 127.835, 3.05 (1997).
96. OR. REV. STAT. § 127.800, 1.01 (1997).
97. J. Lynn et al., Prognoses of Seriously III Hospitalized Patients on Days Before Death: Implications for Patient Care and Public Policy, 5 NEW HORIZONS 56 (1997).
98. Melinda A. Lee et al., Legalizing Assisted Suicide - View of Physicians in Oregon, 334 NEW ENG. J. MED. 310, 312 (1996).
99. OR. REV. STAT. § 127.815, 3.01 (1997).
100. Gerrit Kimsma, Euthanasia and Euthanizing Drugs in the Netherlands, in DRUG USE IN ASSISTED SUICIDE AND EUTHANASIA (Margaret P. Battin & Arthur G. Lipman eds., 1996).
101. TIMOTHY E. QUILL, A MIDWIFE THROUGH THE DYING PROCESS: STORIES OF HEALING AND HARD CHOICES AT THE END OF LIFE (1996);
102. GEORGE E. DELURY, BUT WHAT IF SHE WANTS TO DIE?: A HUSBAND'S DIARY (1997);
103. ANN WICKETT, DOUBLE EXIT: WHEN AGING COUPLES COMMIT SUICIDE TOGETHER (1989).
104. See Hoover & Hill, supra note 3.
105. See id.
106. See GUIDEBOOK, supra note 2, at 24.
107. Sec id. at 23.
108. OR. REV. STAT. § 127.865, 3.11 (1997).
109. See GUIDEBOOK, supra note 2, at 62.
110. See Forms 1 & 2, reprinted in GUIDEBOOK, supra note 2, at 67. Forms also available on the Internet at 〈http://www.ohd.hr.state.or.us/cdpe/chs/pas/pas.htm〉.
111. SeeForm 1.
112. See id. at 65-67.
113. See id.
114. See Form 2.
115. GUIDEBOOK, supra note 2, at 44.
116. K. E. Covinsky et al., The Impact of Serious Illness on Patients' Families, 272 JAMA 1839 (1994); K. E. Covinsky et al., Is Economic Hardship on the Families of the Seriously Ill Associated With Patient and Surrogate Care Preferences? 156 ARCHIVES INTERNAL MED. 1737 (1996).
117. K. E. Covinsky et al., The Impact of Serious Illness on Patients' Families, 272 JAMA 1839 (1994); K. E. Covinsky et al., Is Economic Hardship on the Families of the Seriously Ill Associated With Patient and Surrogate Care Preferences? 156 ARCHIVES INTERNAL MED. 1737 (1996).
118. See id. at 43.
119. Gerrit van der Wal et al., Evaluation of the Notification Procedure for Physician-Assisted Death in the Netherlands, 335 NEW ENG. J. MED. 1706, 1710 (1996).
120. Confidentiality - Death with Dignity Memorandum from Sharon Rice, Health Division Center for Health Statistics to County Vital Records Registrars and Deputies, Dec. 12, 1997 reprinted in Confidentiality of Death Certificates, 14 ISSUES IN LAW & MED. 333 (1998).
121. Id.
122. Death with Dignity Memorandum from Sharon Rice, Manager Registration Unit, Center for Health Statistics of the Oregon Health Division, to Oregon Funeral Home Staff, Dec. 23, 1997 (on file with the authors).
123. Id.
124. OR. REV. STAT. § 127.865, 3.11 (1997).
125. Press release of the Oregon Health Division, "Death with Dignity Preliminary Summary Issued," Aug. 18, 1998, reprinted in 14 ISSUES IN LAW & MED. 335 (1998).
126. Id.; Erin Hoover, Ten Get Drugs Under Oregon Suicide Law, OREGONIAN, Aug. 19, 1998, at A14.
127. 5ee Hendin, supra note 49.
128. See supra notes 49, 72.
129. Erin Hoover, Third Known Assisted Suicide Reported, OREGONIAN, May 6, 1998, at A01.
130. See id.
131. Erin Hoover, Doctor Comes Forward in 4th Assisted Death, OREGONIAN, June 7, 1998, at C01.
132. See supra notes 49, 108.
133. R. Eure, Some Expect Other States to Follow Oregon on Assisted Suicide, OREGONIAN, Mar. 27, 1998, at A18.
134. Background: States Acting Against Assisted Suicide, LIFE AT RISK, Jan./Feb., 1998, at 8.
135. A. S. Green Opponents Hope to Renew Legal Challenge, OREGONIAN, June 6, 1998, at A11.
136. Letter from United States Attorney General Janet Reno to Congressman Henry Hyde dated June 5, 1998.
137. See supra notes 43, 49, 77.
138. Ann Alpers & Bernard Lo, Physician-Assisted Suicide in Oregon: A Bold Experiment, 274 JAMA 483 (1995).