Assisted Dying: Experts Debate Doctor's Role

Assisted Dying: Experts Debate Doctor's Role - ABC News: Instead of prescribing the life-ending medication, physicians should only be responsible for diagnosing patients as terminally ill, advocates say. Terminally ill patients should then be able to pick up the medication from a state-approved center, similar to medical marijuana dispensaries. But assisted dying advocates say doctors should be involved in the dying.

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Oregon Assisted Suicide Not “Last Resort”

Oregon Assisted Suicide Not “Last Resort” » Secondhand Smoke | A First Things Blog: The New England Journal of Medicine has long advocated assisted suicide in its pages. It now has a piece supposedly rebutting opponents of legalizing assisted suicide in Oregon. For example, it says that assisted suicide was not carried out on people with mental illnesses. How we would know, since death doctors referred only a couple of suicidal patients for a mental health “consultation” in the last several years, the article doesn’t say. Moreover, the state statistics are a joke, since they are mostly dependent on physician self reporting.

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Dutch doctors turn to ‘continuous deep sedation’ to keep official euthanasia figures low

Christian Medical Comment: The Lancet report showing that euthanasia rates have not increased in the Netherlands since legalisation in 2002 will no doubt be seized upon by enthusiasts for decriminalisation in the UK and elsewhere but the figures are not at all what they seem at first sight and the press release sent out by the journal is selective and misleading in its reporting of the facts.

If you read the press release sent by the Lancet (reproduced by Medical Xpress) it all seems cut and dried. . . . But if you read the abstract along with the full article and accompanying comment you get a very different picture altogether.

The key fact which should alert people to something odd going on is the reference to ‘continuous deep sedation’ in the Netherlands which appears in the article’s abstract but tellingly (and perhaps even disingenuously) not in the Lancet press release.

The abstract states, ‘Continuous deep sedation until death occurred more frequently in 2010 (12.3% [11.6—13.1; 789 of 6861]) than in 2005 (8.2% [7.8—8.6; 521 of 9965]).’ But what was the rate of ‘continuous deep sedation until death’ in 2001 and previously?

On examining the article we learn from table 1 that it was not measured in 1990 and 1995 and was 5.6% in 2001. In other words there has been a steady increase in this category of cases which in 2010 accounted for 16,700 deaths. Over the same period the number of deaths after ‘intensified alleviation of symptoms’ has also increased from 20.1% to 36.4% and now accounts for over 49,500 deaths annually.

Levels of Dutch euthanasia have changed little since 2002 legalization, study finds

Levels of Dutch euthanasia have changed little since 2002 legalization, study finds - The Washington Post: A summary published Wednesday on The Lancet magazine’s website said that “in 2010, of all deaths in the Netherlands, 2.8 percent were the result of euthanasia. This is higher than the 1.7 percent in 2005, but comparable with (levels seen) in 2001 and 1995.”

Analysis: Dutch doctors turn to ‘continuous deep sedation’ to keep official euthanasia figures low

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End of Life Decisions 101

bioethics.com » End of Life Decisions 101: The care of patients near the end of life can be ethically challenging. Physicians and other health care professionals may find certain concepts vague and hard to understand. Furthermore, there must be a balance between two extremes: a treat-at-all-costs vitalism on the one hand, and a too-rapid withdrawal of potentially beneficial treatments on the other. The purpose of this article is to provide some conceptual clarity.

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Euthanasia Versus Letting Die: Christian Decision-Making in Terminal Patients

By Dennis M. Sullivan, M.D., Cedarville University: The care of terminal patients is often difficult and ethically challenging. The standards of competent and compassionate care that characterized a previous generation seem to be wavering, replaced by a post-modern mélange of newer conflicting theories and ethical values.

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Welcome to Mourning 2.0

Welcome to Mourning 2.0: Technological advances have dramatically altered how we grieve for and memorialize the dead. In this new era, the bereaved readily share their sorrow via Facebook comments. They light virtual candles on memorial websites, upload video tributes to YouTube and express sadness through online funeral home guest books. Mourners affix adhesive-backed barcodes or "QR code" chips to tombstones so visitors can pull up photos and videos with a scan of a smartphone.

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Hospitals 'letting patients die to save money’

Hospitals 'letting patients die to save money’ - Telegraph: Tens of thousands of patients with terminal illnesses are placed on a “death pathway” to help end their lives every year. However, in a letter to The Daily Telegraph, six doctors warn that hospitals may be using the controversial scheme to reduce strain on hospital resources. Supporters of the Liverpool Care Pathway, which allows medical staff to withhold fluid and drugs in a patient’s final days, claim it is the kindest way of letting them slip away. But the experts say in their letter that natural deaths are often freer of pain and distress.

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Minority patients less interested in hospice care

Minority patients less interested in hospice care - amednews.com: Nonwhite patients were 20% less likely to enter hospice care. The disparities in end-of-life care did not end there. Among patients who opted for hospice, minorities were likelier to visit the emergency department and stay in the intensive care unit. Nonwhites also were about 40% likelier to disenroll — or leave — hospice, the study said. A common reason why patients disenroll is that they want more aggressive treatment.

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Songs may hold key for injured brains

Songs may hold key for injured brains: Music can help patients with severe traumatic brain injury unlock memories from their past, a new study has shown.

Related:
First Steps for TBI and Stroke Patients
Bringing Andrea back from brain injury: a father's story

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Physician's Order for Life-Sustaining Treatment: Helpful or a New Threat?

Physician's Order for Life-Sustaining Treatment: Helpful or a New Threat? | Daily News | NCRegister.com: Some ethicists see stronger danger at end of life with new form that patients can sign. 'A living will on steroids.'

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Should We Kill Alzheimer’s Patients?

Should We Kill Alzheimer’s Patients? » Secondhand Smoke | A First Things Blog: A very disturbing article in New York Magazine by Michael Wolff.  It tells the difficult story of his mother’s dementia, a course of physical and mental decline about which I am very familiar as my uncle died from the complications of that Alzheimer’s disease. But Wolff says that such patients have lost dignity, and indeed, he more than implies the proper approach to dealing with dementia is to kill them sooner rather than bear the emotional and financial expense of caring for them over the long term.

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Be aware: Coordinated bid to change end-of-life laws

Be aware: Coordinated bid to change end-of-life laws | News | The Christian Institute: Dr Peter Saunders, one of Britain’s leading opponents of euthanasia and assisted suicide, says a synchronized assault has been launched on the courts, the media, the medical profession and Parliament.

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Patient dying of thirst rang police

Daily Mail: Nurses forgot to give Kane Gorny his medication and he became so delirious he called 999. His mother said she spent hours trying to convince staff he needed attention but was told he was all right. Alarm finally raised an hour before his death when a doctor realised how serious his condition was

34 Lessons Learned From Thinking My Son Had Leukemia

34 Lessons Learned From Thinking My Son Had Leukemia | LifeNews.com: "It turns out Noah is fine, and cancer free. I could go on and on about how scared we were today, how my wife and I both cried, and how fearful we were, but to be honest I’m physically and mentally exhausted after today. I wanted to share just a few things I learned today, in no particular order."

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When you're dead, you're dead; when you're 'brain dead,' you're alive

When you're dead, you're dead; when you're 'brain dead,' you're alive | ALL.org: The medical doctors who believe that “brain death” is equivalent to death are basically saying that “brain-dead” patients are the same as dead patients. Yet, there are significant differences between a “brain-dead” patient and a truly dead patient.

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Perfect Gifts for Hospital Visits

Perfect Gifts for Hospital Visits - CarePages.com: These ideas will help you choose gifts for a friend or family member who's in the hospital or recovering that will brighten their spirits and help ease their recovery.

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Prenatal genetic screening "may be inaccurate"

Prenatal genetic screening "may be inaccurate": American experts have developed a blood test which they say could be used to screen foetuses routinely for over 3,000 conditions like muscular dystrophy and cystic fibrosis. However, the researchers acknowledged the ability to predict the genetic code of a foetus at 18 weeks could lead to "many ethical questions" because it might lead to more abortions.

Some British experts have warned that the test -- still many years from clinical use -- may be more of a harm than a help because in many cases it would be difficult to predict how a mutation might affect children and how acute their disability might be. Others argued that any information parents can obtain to help them prepare for possible eventualities once the child is born should not be withheld.

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Denmark quietly debates euthanasia

BioEdge: Denmark quietly debates euthanasia: The Danish Parliament’s advisory panel on ethics seems to be slowing warming to the idea, according to an article in the Copenhagen Post. In 1997 and in 2003 the panel dismissed the idea. However, at its May meeting this year, there was a heated debate.

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Parents would have aborted daughter with cystic fibrosis: judge gives green light to sue

Parents who would have aborted daughter with cystic fibrosis sue: judge gives green light | LifeSiteNews.com: A girl born with cystic fibrosis is at the center of a lawsuit filed by her Montana parents, who claim they would have aborted their girl had they known of her chances of having the disability. Judge Mike Salvagni ruled that the parents, Kerrie and Joe Evans, are free to move forward with their lawsuit.

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Woman appeals for daughter’s mercy killing

The Hindu : States / Tamil Nadu : Woman appeals for daughter’s mercy killing: The grievances redress meeting held every Monday at the District Collectorate saw an unusual petition being submitted. Among many requests for protection of lives and livelihood, this one appealed for ending a 14-year-old girl’s life. And the appeal came from none other than the girl’s mother.

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Things Christians say [but shouldn't] to the sick

Things Christians say [but shouldn't] to the sick. « Strengthened by Grace: People mean well, but in some cases what they say to sick people is "worthless, hurtful, or simply outright wrongheaded."

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Assisted Suicide, Euthanasia Fail to Grasp The Value of People

Assisted Suicide, Euthanasia Fail to Grasp The Value of People | LifeNews.com: Some of the great civil rights battles of our day are being waged in Massachusetts, Vermont, Hawaii, and Montana this year. If you do not recognize those states as civil rights battlegrounds, you are not alone. While advocates for assisted suicide have targeted those states with legalization campaigns, residents may not fully appreciate what is at stake.

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Man scaled Kilimanjaro by crawling on his HANDS for seven days

It's a feat most able-bodied people would struggle to achieve - scaling one of the highest peaks on the planet. Spencer West managed it using just his hands. Daily Mail

Euthanasia: The European Court Must Rule on Two New Cases

Euthanasia: The European Court Must Rule on Two New Cases : Turtle Bay and Beyond – International Law, Policy, and Institutions: In the coming months, the Council of Europe and the European Court of Human Rights will once again have to rule on the issues of euthanasia and assisted suicide. Two cases, currently pending, will soon be decided by the European Court of Human Rights (Koch v. Germany and Alda Gross v. Switzerland). Additionally, the Steering Committee on Bioethics of the Council of Europe is currently writing a guide for the decision making process regarding medical treatment in end of life situations, which will include instructions related to the cessation of acute care and the transition to palliative care and palliative sedation with cessation of hydration and nutrition.

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‘Right to die’?

‘Right to die’?: These incredible people found meaning in their lives, despite severe disabilities | LifeSiteNews.com: These incredible people found meaning in their lives, despite severe disabilities.

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Swiss vote brings death-peddlers into nursing homes

Swiss vote brings death-peddlers into nursing homes | LifeSiteNews.com: Citizens of the Swiss canton Vaud voted last Sunday in a referendum to bring the business of death into nursing homes and hospitals. When the new law goes into effect, doctors will be forced to comply with the demands of eligible people who request assisted suicide or face legal consequences.

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My aunt’s killer should not be an excuse to kill

My aunt’s killer should not be an excuse to kill | LifeSiteNews.com: "ALS is a ghastly disease. My aunt quickly lost her independence, and became reliant on others for the basics that we take for granted. She soon lost her ability to speak, and near the end of her life it was almost impossible for her to communicate. Through it all, her husband and the medical team continued to lavish their love and care on her to alleviate her pain and suffering as much as possible until she died. She was an individual with dignity, and was treated with dignity, despite all the indignities the disease subjected her to."

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Phony “Death Panel” Definition Won’t Make the Issue Go Away

Phony “Death Panel” Definition Won’t Make the Issue Go Away » Secondhand Smoke | A First Things Blog: The Medical Establishment continues to try and misdirect the conversation on the pending threat of “death panels” under Obamacare. They pretend it is about “end of life discussions.” . . . “Death panels” really refer to the threat of health care rationing and centralized cost/benefit bureaucracies deciding that efficacious treatments will not be covered based on quality of life invidious discrimination–as occurs already in the UK, Canada, and Oregon’s Medicaid rationing law.

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