Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide ethics and legal challenges in healthcare

The debate over euthanasia and assisted suicide presents one of the most profound ethical and legal challenges in healthcare today. At its core, the issue grapples with the fundamental questions of life and death, autonomy, and the role of medical professionals in end-of-life care (Colleran & Doherty, 2024). Those who have supported this issue base their argument on the right to die with dignity, emphasizing personal autonomy and compassionate relief from suffering. On the other hand, opponents raise concerns about the sanctity of life, the potential for abuse, and the moral responsibilities of healthcare providers (Lee, 2023). This essay analyzes the legal and ethical responsibilities of nurses and other healthcare providers related to the topic of euthanasia and assisted suicide.

Nurses’ Legal Responsibilities

End-of-life care is an important aspect for nurses due to advances in medicine and the legal scope of care delivery. The responsibilities of nurses regarding this topic are primarily governed by laws that vary significantly across jurisdictions, as well as by professional ethical guidelines. Firstly, nurses must adhere to the legal statutes of the State or country where euthanasia and assisted suicide are legal (Gill, 2019). For instance, countries like Canada, Belgium, Netherlands, and Korea have legalized euthanasia. In the United States, Oregon, Vermont, Washington, California, and Montana are among the regions where it is legal to take necessary medical actions to end life as stipulated by the law (Gill, 2019). The nurses’ responsibility in such areas is to ensure the eligibility of patients, confirm the diagnosis of terminal illness, and the patient’s voluntary request for euthanasia.

PHL 218 Project Template: Ethical Frameworks Related to Human Actions

Nurses have legal responsibilities during the intra-euthanasia phase which should be adhered to. It is the responsibility of the nurse to ensure the patient is placed in a quiet environment, the patient and family are informed about the procedure, and all medications are set (ANA Ethics Advisory Board, 2019). The nurse is obligated to keep records of the procedure, forms signed, and document the steps involved. The nurse should maintain transparency in communication with the patient and their family, and work collaboratively with physicians and other healthcare providers to uphold legal and ethical standards during the procedure.

AYM1 — AYM1 TASK 1: SERVICE PLAN LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT IN COMPLEX HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS D030

Nurses’ Ethical Responsibilities

There is no absolute right or wrong of euthanasia and assisted suicide as diverse interpretations are drawn from various ethical principles. Autonomy is the first guiding ethical principle for nurses which recognizes that patients have their self-directed plans (Lee, 2023). Nurses must respect and honor the wishes of patients provided it is within the legal framework. The second ethical principle that guides the responsibility of nurses is beneficence. The principle of beneficence requires nurses to act in the best interest of their patients, promoting their well-being and relieving suffering (Gill, 2019). Nurses have the responsibility of ensuring the actions of euthanasia and assisted suicide are executed upon considering things like quality of life, levels of suffering, and effectiveness of palliative care alternatives.

The ethical principle of non-maleficence guides the nurse’s role in euthanasia and assisted suicide. Nurses must evaluate whether participating in euthanasia or assisted suicide could potentially cause harm, not only to the patient but also to themselves and the broader community (ANA Ethics Advisory Board, 2019). The nurse must ensure that the decision to implement euthanasia is made without discrimination. Nurses must also approach this issue with compassion and empathy. Actions like listening to patients and families, providing resources, and communicating effectively should prevail.

Agreement with the Topic

The delivery of high-quality care including end-of-life care is central to nursing practice. I agree with the topic of euthanasia and assisted suicide because it is based on the core principles of alleviating pain and suffering. The code of nursing by ANA stipulates that nurses should provide interventions to relieve pain and alleviate suffering, but not act with the sole intent of ending life (ANA Ethics Advisory Board, 2019). Alleviating pain and physical suffering among patients with terminal illnesses is one of the reasons I support this topic. Secondly, euthanasia and assisted suicide are only done with the patient’s consent. Nurses always emphasize the importance of respecting the patient’s autonomy. If a dying patient expresses the desire to end their suffering, I could agree that respecting this choice is important to the patient.

The aspect of quality of life is another reason why I support this topic. I have witnessed the profound impact of terminal illness on a patient’s quality of life and things like loss of dignity, continuous distress, and painful death make me believe that euthanasia and assisted suicide an ethical choices. Through professional experience, nurses develop deep empathy and understanding for the physical and emotional pain of their patients (Colleran & Doherty, 2024). I believe there is no need to prolong the life of patients with the certainty that they will die and suffer despite adequate and maximal palliative care.

Ethical Decision-making Model

I used several structured steps to arrive at my decision to support the topic of euthanasia and assisted suicide. The first step involved identifying the ethical dilemma. The second step involved gathering information about the ethical dilemma, legal issues involved, ethical guidelines, and ethical principles involved. The next step involved considering ethical principles like autonomy, beneficence, and non-maleficence as they relate to the topic. I proceeded to evaluate the options by analyzing the potential impact of supporting or opposing the issue of euthanasia and assisted suicide. The next step involved reflecting on my professional experience and seeking support from ethical and professional guidelines. The last step involved making a decision based on the balance between ethical principles, professional guidelines, legal considerations, and my professional nursing experience.

References

ANA Ethics Advisory Board. (2019). ANA position statement: The nurse’s role when a patient requests medical aid in dying. Online J Issues Nurs, 24.

https://doi.org/10.3912/OJIN.Vol24No03PoSCol02

Colleran, M., & Doherty, A. M. (2024). Examining assisted suicide and euthanasia through the lens of healthcare quality. Irish Journal of Medical Science, 193(1), 353-362.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-023-03418-2

Gill, B. K. (2019). Euthanasia and nurses role in it. Arch Clin Case Stud, 2(1). https:doi.org/ 10.33552/ACCS.2019.02.000526

Lee, M. A. (2023). Ethical Issue of Physician-Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia. Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care, 26(2), 95. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1204-0574